L’VOYAGE, Sino Private Aviation (SPAL) and Jetcraft Corporation have announced a one-year charity project, from the first of September 2013, to support the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF’s ’28 Days to Save a Child’s Life’ fundraising campaign. The charity project aims to raise over HK$1 million (US$136,800) to support the campaign, in order to provide more than 2.2 million doses of vaccine to save children from tetanus, one of the most deadly yet preventable diseases.
The managing director of L’VOYAGE and SPAL, Diana Chou, siad: "We are honoured to be one of the contributors to UNICEF HK’s ’28 Days to Save a Child’s Life’ campaign. Being socially-responsible companies, L’VOYAGE and SPAL are committed to supporting this project. We aim to donate 5,688 doses of tetanus vaccines per charter flight and 32,500 doses per aircraft sold. We hope that our contribution will encourage our industry peers to also join hands with UNICEF HK."
Co-owner and board member of Jetcraft, Jahid Fazal-Karim, said: "We are excited to be part of this charity project. Jetcraft is proud to make a difference in the lives of children. We aim to sell as many aircraft as possible during this period in order to help protect mothers and their children from maternal and neonatal tetanus. It is our hope that a great number of children will benefit from this initiative and go on to make their mark in the world."
UNICEF HK’s ’28 Days to Save a Child’s Life’ fundraising campaign aims at raising funds to provide immunisation services to mothers and children in need in developing countries. With only three protective doses, the mother and her future newborns are protected for five years from Tetanus which kills one newborn baby every nine minutes. Apart from vaccinating mothers, an effort will also be made to vaccinate infants against the life-threatening disease.
The chairman of UNICEF HK, Judy Chen, said: "Every year, 6.9 million children under five die, in which nearly three million die in the first 28 days of life. Many of these babies die of vaccine-preventable diseases, including tetanus. UNICEF has been put great effort to vaccinate both mothers and newborns to save more babies’ lives.
"I would like to extend our sincerest thank you to L’VOYAGE, Jetcraft and SPAL to initiate this meaningful charity project to join hands with us. I believe that many more children can enjoy their basic right to survive."
UNICEF goodwill ambassador Mr. Leon Lai also made a special appearance to support this worthy cause and share its perspective on child survival. Leon was invited to accept the pledge from L’VOYAGE, Jetcraft and SPAL on behalf of UNICEF HK.
