Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer selects ORBIS as Official Charity

The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer team has selected ORBIS, a worldwide blindness prevention charity which works in developing countries, as its official charity for the world record attempt later this year. The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer team aim to set records for the fastest ever non-stop, non-refuelled circumnavigation of the world and the first ever by a solo pilot.

Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic and ambassador for ORBIS, said:

“To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the ORBIS DC-10 Flying Eye Hospital the Virgin Atlantic Globalflyer is teaming up with ORBIS to raise well in excess of £75,000 between now and the end of the year to fund a paediatric Flying Eye Hospital training programme in India.

“As an ambassador of ORBIS I know how valuable their efforts are worldwide – since the charity’s beginning in 1982 it has saved the sight of 17.5m people.”

The money will be raised through a number of methods both onboard Virgin Atlantic’s flights and through the website. ORBIS will be Virgin Atlantic’s onboard charity from October to December this year giving passengers the opportunity to donate their loose change and unused foreign currency to the charity. Donations can also be made through the sale of Virgin Atlantic Globalflyer merchandise on the website - for every item sold 5% will be donated to ORBIS.