Celebrating 15 years of Change for Good
British Airways and UNICEF are delighted to be celebrating fifteen years of Change for Good.
The initiative is the highest fundraising charity partnership with any UK airline and is also the longest running corporate partnership for UNICEF UK.
15 years on and over an amazing £27 million later, it is still making a difference to the lives of vulnerable children all over the world. The partnership raises approximately £1.3 million each year but this year the target is £1.5 million. Change for Good encourages British Airways customers to donate spare change and foreign currency on every flight via envelopes which are in the seatback pockets or headset packs.
Change for Good has funded projects in 58 countries and has supported all areas of UNICEF’s work. You can see some of these projects in the photographs above.
The first country to benefit from monies raised through the programme was Tanzania, where Change for Good money was invested in health, education and HIV prevention programmes.
Change for Good money is also vital in helping UNICEF’s work in emergencies.
Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of British Airways said, “The lives of thousands of the most vulnerable children around the world have been changed for good, thanks to the unwavering generosity of British Airways customers and incredible support from our cabin crew over the last 15 years. I’ve seen for myself the hope that we can bring to so many young lives and want to thank all those who have made our partnership with UNICEF such a life-changing success”.
David Bull, Executive Director of UNICEF UK added, “On behalf of everyone at UNICEF UK, I’d like to say a huge thank you to British Airways and its cabin crew and customers for their tremendous dedication, enthusiasm and continued support over the last fifteen years. This partnership proves that small change really can make a big difference. Together we have changed the lives of millions of the world’s poorest children”.
Graham Langley, LHR Worldwide Crew said, "I am always humbled and thrilled to see how such a simple idea as Change for Good can make such an extraordinary difference to the lives of children. I am proud to be a Champion but I'm even prouder of all the customers over the past fifteen years who have donated those millions of envelopes of loose change and saved so many lives. Long may it continue. Thank you!"