By Tim Saunders on
Following his charity trips to Nairobi and Canada last week, British actor Bill Nighy is now throwing his support behind a new charity partnership between Comic Relief and British Airways which aims to raise up to £8 million by 2013 for vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the UK and around the world.
The new venture, called Flying Start, aims to create lasting change by giving children and their families the chance to start supporting themselves. British Airways says: “We want to make sure that children have a chance to enjoy their childhood, whether that’s by giving them a break from caring for sick family members, supporting their education or helping children living on city streets to break free from poverty.”
Along with fellow actor Nick Frost, Nighy recently visited Kenya, where he witnessed the children the new charity initiative wants to help firsthand.
“Meeting some of the most impoverished and vulnerable children in the world has been a humbling experience,” he said. “Yet, despite the adversity these children face, optimism and hope is strong. Just seeing how Comic Relief has already made a difference has been incredibly inspiring and with the support from Flying Start, we can enrich the lives of even more children.”
“Our partnership with Comic Relief will bring new help and support to underprivileged children in the UK and around the world through funds we raise in the air, on the ground and online,” added British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh.
Kevin Cahill, chief executive of Comic Relief, said: “Working with BA will help us stay connected to our beneficiaries across the world and will help us raise crucial funds to increase the numbers of individuals and countries we are able to support.”
To find out more about Flying Start, click here.
Copyright © 2010 Look to the Stars
