Supported by Cathay Pacific, Change for Good has successfully transformed the donations into a fund that safeguards vulnerable children and gives unwavering support for initiatives worldwide to improve children’s living conditions in more than 190 developing countries and territories since its inception in 1991.

Cathay Pacific Director Customer Mr Simon Large said, “We greatly appreciate the generosity of our passengers and the efforts of our staff in supporting Change for Good over the years. Thanks to their kindness, the programme has raised an incredible HK$193 million by the end of 2018. Cathay Pacific firmly believes in the power of collaborative efforts to affect positive change. As such, we are encouraged to see these donations have transformed into practical actions that are helping to make the world a better place.”

In thanking Cathy Pacific, UNICEF HK Chief Executive Mr Lambert Chan noted, “We are very grateful for Cathay Pacific’s continued trust and support. With the carrier’s powerful backing, the proverb ‘many a mickle makes a muckle’ becomes a reality. Change for Good has helped millions of deprived children living in developing countries, and we look forward to Cathay Pacific’s continued support of UNICEF’s global work, so that we can bring hope to more children.”

Delivering quality education in child-friendly learning spaces

One-third of the total Change for Good donation in 2018 will be used to support UNICEF’s Schools for Asia. The initiative helps children to return to school and receive uninterrupted education where they can have a fairer and better start in life.

In June 2019, 10 Cathay Pacific employees, together with UNICEF HK staff, made a field visit to Guizhou, China. The volunteer team gained firsthand knowledge of how Schools for Asia donations helped improve school facilities, and witnessed how it helped ethnic minority kids between the ages of three and six receive quality early childhood education. For example, the donations were used to build a child-friendly learning environment for the healthy development of children. Both the students and parents agreed that the donations have made a positive difference in local education.

The remaining funds raised in 2018 will go towards regular UNICEF programmes in support of children around the world. These programmes cover health, education, child protection, nutrition, social inclusion, water, sanitation and hygiene, and HIV/AIDS prevention.

In addition, an average of one month’s proceeds from Change for Good will be allocated to the Cathy Pacific Wheelchair Bank. Established in 1996, the Wheelchair Bank aims to improve the mobility of children suffering from severe neuromuscular diseases in Hong Kong.

About Change for Good

Cathay Pacific and UNICEF HK have been running the Change for Good inflight fundraising programme since 1991. Travellers on Cathay Pacific flights are encouraged to donate any spare change they have – in any currency – to UNICEF when returning from their journeys. The money collected is used to fund UNICEF’s programmes helping deprived women and children in more than 190 countries and territories around the world.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

And we never give up.

unicef ｜ for every child

About Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is the home airline of Hong Kong, offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 100 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of more than 150 aircraft. The company is a member of the Swire group and is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Cathay Pacific has made substantial investments to develop Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading global transportation hubs. Cathay Pacific is a founding member of the oneworld global alliance.