At a glance: Ireland

UNICEF Ireland and Aer Lingus mark 10th anniversary of ‘Change for Good’ partnership

© UNICEF Ireland/2007/Doyle

UNICEF Ireland Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson (left) and Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Change for Good partnership between UNICEF and the Irish airline.

DUBLIN, Ireland, 11 January 2007 – UNICEF Ireland and the Irish airline Aer Lingus today marked the 10th anniversary of their Change for Good™ partnership.

Change for Good uses in-flight collection of unwanted foreign notes and coins on all long-haul Aer Lingus flights. Over the past decade, the partnership has raised more than $8 million in support of UNICEF’s work.

It was Liam Neeson, actor and UNICEF Ireland’s longest-serving Goodwill Ambassador, who launched the campaign 10 years ago. Today Mr. Neeson flew to Dublin to celebrate the anniversary alongside Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion and UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Maura Quinn.

“Since 1997, the support and commitment for Change for Good from Aer Lingus passengers and staff have made an enormous difference to the world’s poorest children,” Mr. Neeson said at a press conference.

© UNICEF Ireland/2007/Doyle

Liam Neeson with several members of an Aer Lingus cabin crew.

Generosity and commitment

Since its launch in 1997, the partnership has received tremendous support from Aer Lingus passengers, with an average one in every two passengers donating onboard.

Every day, simply by putting leftover notes and coins into Change for Good envelopes, Aer Lingus passengers bring hope to children affected by war, natural disaster and poverty.

“Aer Lingus is proud of its partnership with UNICEF Ireland and the success of the Change for Good campaign,” said Mr. Mannion. “Its success would not be possible but for the ongoing generosity of our passengers and the commitment and dedication of Aer Lingus staff.”