BA community fund raises £760k since April

A charity fund launched by British Airways in April has delivered more than £760,000 of funding to support 30-plus charities across the UK.

The BA Better World Community Fund has raised money in partnership with Crowdfunder, combining donations from the airline’s customers, the wider public and contributions from the airline.

One of the charities being supported is Healthy Kidz, which has been able to run holiday camps across Northern Ireland this summer for more than 1,300 children, thanks to the donations.

Meanwhile, Bristol-based Flamingo Chicks (pictured) has helped 6,500 children by providing workshops and classes for children with disabilities and their families to explore movement through dance.

Funding has also supported Living Streets Portsmouth, an initiative to encourage local biodiversity within city centres, and a new garden has been created on the London Overground with Energy Garden for more than 12,000 daily commuters to enjoy.

Another cause helped by the fund is Drug of Art, a community-led project created by artist Alison Lapper MBE, which showcases the positive power of creativity on mental health.

This support will enable workshops and podcasts to take place at more than 500 schools and youth groups across the country to combat loneliness.

Lisa Tremble, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at BA and chair of the community governance board, said: “We are really proud to have supported a wide range of projects since the launch of the fund and to see how our contribution, together with the generous Crowdfunder donations have made a real difference to those in the communities that need it most.”

The BA Better World Community Fund continues to complement BA’s Flying Start programme, the airline’s global charity partnership with Comic Relief that has raised more than £26 million since it first began in 2010.