|
Bangalore,
India - The Cathay Pacific Group announced that the value
of its contribution
to help victims of the Sichuan earthquake has topped HK$20
million. A substantial part of the money collected came from
the staff of the two airlines in the Group, Cathay Pacific
and Dragonair.
Although
flight operations became extremely difficult in the wake of
the tragedy, Dragonair maintained a daily flight to Chengdu,
enabling the airline to support relief efforts by various
government departments and non-profit organisations. So far,
the airline has given out some 200 free air tickets and carried
more than 50 tonnes of relief supplies. Dragonair has now
resumed the normal double daily schedule to Chengdu.
Cathay
Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler presented a cheque for
HK$14.6 million to Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) Chairman Sir
Ti-liang Yang to help earthquake victims rebuild their lives.
Also present at the cheque presentation ceremony was Mr Sun
Wen-xiu, Deputy Director of Economic Affairs Department, Liaison
Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR.
Speaking
at the ceremony, Mr Tyler said "We had a superb response
from our staff and passengers and the value of our total contribution
to the relief effort was HK$20.3 million. I'm pleased to say
that a grand total of HK$14.6 million of the money we collected
will be donated to the Hong Kong Red Cross which is doing
vital work to help the people of Sichuan get back on their
feet. Dragonair's service to Chengdu is now back to normal
and traffic is gradually picking up on the route, but of course
there is still so much work
to be done."
Sir
Ti-liang Yang said "Since 13 May, the day following the
earthquake, HKRC has sent relief workers and medical personnel
to three affected provinces - Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi.
We are now focusing on providing temporary shelters, schools
and clinics to the quake survivors, with various construction
projects being completed over the next three to five years.
The people of Hong Kong have placed a great deal of trust
in the HKRC and we
will try our very best to assist the most needy quake victims."
The
Cathay Pacific Group kicked off its fundraising effort with
seed money of HK$2 million on 16 May, pledging to match dollar-for-dollar
every donation made by staff until the end of May. This led
to another HK$10 million being added to the fund.
FOR
MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr.
C. VINODA KUMAR
M/s. Concept PR
Bangalore, India
E-Mail : bangalore@conceptpr.com
|
