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Cathay Pacific and UNICEF Stars Kick Off 'Change for Good'

Posted on: Thursday, 27 October 2005, 15:00 CDT

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Cathay Pacific Airways and UNICEF together launched the 2005/06 "Change for Good" inflight fundraising program as they announced a record HK$12 million (US$1.5 million) collected this past year. Helping to kick-off the latest program were UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Jackie Chan and Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF Ambassadors Charlie Young, Gigi Leung and Karen Mok.

This will be the 15th year that Cathay Pacific has supported the program, which seeks passenger donations of spare and unwanted foreign currency collected during flights by Cathay Pacific flight attendants. The 2004/05 fundraising year collected a record HK$12 million (US$1.5 million) -- of which HK$580,000 (US$75,000) was donated to the Cathay Pacific Wheelchair Bank. Cathay Pacific has raised more than HK$62 million (US$8 million) for the UNICEF program since 1991.

Cathay Pacific Airways Chief Executive Philip Chen said: "Cathay Pacific carries more than 14 million passengers a year. Just one dollar from each when they fly would make a tremendous difference to the lives of children in need the world over -- and to those helped by the Wheelchair Bank here in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong's airline, we are proud to support 'Change for Good' for the 15th year in a row."

Ms. Maggie Koong, Chairman, Regular Fundraising Committee of Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF thanked all Cathay Pacific staff and passengers whose support has helped UNICEF improve the quality of life for children in 157 developing countries.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Jackie Chan said: "How can we help other people? I think we must love our country, our living place and use our country's own products first. Therefore, I must choose Cathay Pacific Airways every time I have a trip. In fact, we do not need to donate a large amount of money. One dollar or even a few cents can be accumulated into a large amount of money. For example, there are 7 million people in Hong Kong, if everyone donates HK$1, there are already HK$7 million!"

The event also saw the unveiling of Cathay Pacific's new inflight "Change for Good" video, which features the UNICEF ambassador stars together with scores of local children. The video, filmed at the airline's headquarters Cathay City, will be shown on all Cathay Pacific flights from November.

Last weekend Cathay Pacific organized a "Change for Good" Day on the ground. With the help of 200 student members of its "I Can Fly" community service program along with pilot leaders and staff volunteers, collections were made at seven Hong Kong shopping malls and two ferry terminals, raising around HK$70,000 (US$9,000).

About Cathay Pacific:

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited is one of the world's leading passenger and cargo airlines, serving more than one million customers a month to Asia, Europe and North America. The carrier offers daily non-stop service to Hong Kong and beyond from New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Headquartered and founded in Hong Kong in 1946, Cathay Pacific and its two major shareholders are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Cathay Pacific is a member of the oneworld(TM) alliance, which includes Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Lan Chile and Qantas.

* Cathay Pacific was voted "Airline of the Year 2005" in the world's largest passenger poll conducted by UK-based Skytrax Research.

Cathay Pacific Airways

CONTACT: Kelly Monks, Communications & Marketing Services Manager,Americas of Cathay Pacific Airways, +1-415-848-2021

Web site: http://www.cathay-usa.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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