Finnair and UNICEF to Aid Children of India

Finnair and UNICEF have launched this year's Change for Good campaign. The new subject of the collection is UNICEF's Clean Water and Environment for the Children of India programme over a three-year period. The programme highlights in particular the importance of sanitation, hygiene and clean water. The collection runs until 10 January 2010.

The Change for Good collection is arranged on nearly all of Finnair's international flights. Donated money is placed in collection envelopes found in seatback pockets, then the envelopes are sealed and given to the cabin staff. On leisure flights, the collection takes place on flights returning to Helsinki.

"Altogether, Finnair and its customers have already collected nearly one million euros for UNICEF work through the Change for Good campaign. This is an effective and concrete way of improving conditions in the developing countries," said Finnair's SVP Communications Christer Haglund.

A donation can also be given on the UNICEF website via an internet bank, and passengers can participate in the collection by bringing their donations to collection boxes located in the Finnair lounge facilities at Helsinki-Vantaa airport.

The objectives of the Clean Water and Environment for the Children of India programme include ensuring clean drinking water and adequate sanitation as well as providing a healthy and safe learning environment for the children of the Indian state of Bihar. A further objective is to encourage children, families and communities to adopt hygienic practices and practical water treatment measures.

Finnair has been cooperating with UNICEF since 1994 to improve conditions for the world's children. Over the years, the money acquired through the Change for Good collection has been directed to education programmes in Rwanda and Nepal, AIDS programmes in Vietnam and Kaliningrad and an emergency relief project in Kosovo.

This year Finnair will donate money allocated for Christmas cards and gifts to the Change for Good collection.

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