British Airways - Change for Good

British Airways is proud to have worked in partnership with UNICEF UK on the Change for Good programme since 1994. To date, Change for Good has raised more than £23 million, and has supported projects in over 50 countries around the world, helping to transform the lives of millions of children.

Change for Good enables our customers to donate their spare coins and notes at any time during a flight, using collection envelopes which can be found in their seat back pockets, headset packs or on request from Cabin Crew.

UNICEF changes this money into positive help for children around the world. Donations can also be made on the ground at branches of Travelex Bureaux de Change at UK airports or UNICEF UK’s headquarters in London.

The history of Change for Good

Change for Good was launched on all British Airways Worldwide flights in 1994 by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. From the very start, the programme was incredibly successful, raising £100,000 in the first 5 weeks.

The first ever Change for Good donation was made to Tanzania, to support UNICEF projects in health, education and HIV/AIDS prevention.

During the first year Rebecca Ferreri, a staff member at a British Airways Travel Shop in London's Regents Street, suggested a Change for Good collection box. In November 1994, Nigel Havers became the first customer on solid ground to make a Change for Good donation.

In September 1995, Change for Good was launched on Eurofleet flights.

July 1997 saw the first ever field visit when Cabin Crew visited UNICEF-supported projects in Beijing, China.

In 1999, the Change for Good Champions programme was launched.

In 2004, Change for Good was proud to celebrate a decade of partnership between British Airways and UNICEF UK. Her Majesty The Queen launched the 10th Anniversary celebrations.

Change for Good continues to go from strength to strength, thanks to the support and dedication of our staff and customers.

UNICEF

UNICEF is a global children’s organisation working specifically to support children and their rights. UNICEF works with local communities and governments across the globe in order to help children realise their talent and potential. This is achieved through long-term development programmes in healthcare and education, and emergency work in times of crisis.

UNICEF receives no funding from the UN and relies entirely on voluntary contributions.

UNICEF UK is one of 37 National Committees based in industrialised countries which raises funds for UNICEF's programmes around the world and advocates for change on behalf of all the world's children.

For more information on UNICEF and its work please go to Read more about UNICEF.

Change for Good Champions

The success of Change for Good is a tribute to our staff’s dedication and commitment to the programme. Change for Good Champions are British Airways staff, mainly Cabin Crew, who have volunteered to be part of and promote the partnership. Our Cabin Crew ensure that onboard announcements are made, that donations are collected and that the onboard Change for Good video is shown.

Changing children’s lives

Change for Good has funded UNICEF projects in over 50 countries around the world. Here are just a few of the projects and emergency relief programmes which Change for Good has supported in recent years.

Morocco

Working in partnership with British Airways and UNICEF, GB Airways and its customers have been raising money for the Change for Good programme. Their fantastic support has enabled Change for Good to fund a project that protects vulnerable children in Morocco against violence, exploitation and abuse. The project, worth over £100,000 aims to provide services to help children who are victims of abuse and to carry out research into child protection.

Emergency relief work after the earthquake in Indonesia

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck just south of Yogyakarta at 05.00am on Saturday 27 May. The earthquake devastated the city with more than 5,000 people killed and 15,000 injured. Many of those that survived have lost their homes and livelihoods. As many as 130,000 people have been made homeless and are living in camps.

Change for Good responded swiftly by giving £50,000 to the emergency relief operation. UNICEF personnel were in Yogyakarta within hours to assess the immediate needs. The first emergency supplies were airlifted the same evening and arrived on Sunday morning including collapsible water tanks, tarpaulins, family tents, cooking sets and a generator. The next airfreight contained education materials, vitamin A and emergency health kits.

Emergency Relief work after the South Asia Earthquake

Following the devastating earthquake in October 2005 in Pakistan, British Airways chose to support the child survivors of the disaster. Through Change for Good, £500, 000 was donated towards “Building Back Better”, a two year programme to rebuild 11 schools in north-west Paikstan, constructing safer, earthquake-resistant buildings. The programme will also develop and support an improved primary school system, training 33 teachers and providing 1,320 children with quality education.

Change for Good - The Most Effective Corporate Relationship

In 2004, Change for Good was the proud recipient of the ‘Most Effective Corporate Relationship’ Award, given jointly by the Institute of Fundraising and Professional Fundraising magazine. Change for Good was praised for its longevity, scale and the close involvement of our Champions. This award is a fantastic acknowledgement of all the commitment and dedication of those involved with Change for Good.

How you can donate to Change for Good

Coins or notes, of any currency, can be donated to Change for Good.

Whilst on a British Airways flight, donations can be placed in a Change for Good collection envelope and handed to a member of Cabin Crew.

Alternatively, please take your donation to any branch of Travelex Bureaux de Change at UK airports.

In addition to this all currencies can be sent to UNICEF’s London office care of:

Contact details

British Airways and UNICEF work closely together on the Change for Good programme.

More information on our Change for Good programme

Sue Hurley
Change for Good Executive - British Airways
community.branch@ba.com
(Please state Change for Good programme in title of email)

Julie Milnes
Change for Good Manager – UNICEF UK
changeforgood@unicef.org.uk