Sick children get to meet Santa in mid-air thanks to Air Transat and the Children’s Wish Foundation
Air Transat gives the foundation $892,000
Vancouver, B.C. - December 11, 2007 - This afternoon, hundreds of children had the pleasure of meeting Santa Claus at an altitude of 6,000 metres during a special flight organized by Air Transat and the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. Three exclusive flights, departing from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, gave the children the experience of a lifetime.
The children and their families boarded three Air Transat Airbus to head for the North Pole in search of Santa. During the 90-minute flight, Santa made a surprise appearance, much to the delight of the children onboard.
Rod Ramage, Regional Manager Western Canada at Air Transat, took the opportunity to donate $892,000 to the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. The sum was raised in part by the airline’s Change for Kids program, which collects foreign or Canadian currency from passengers. Air Transat has been associated with the Foundation since 2004 and has donated $2.3 million to date.
“We are grateful for the support of Air Transat, a platinum partner for three years,”said Gwen Ford, Chapter Director, BC and Yukon Chapter of the Children’s Wish 
Foundation of Canada. The airline’s support helps us fulfill our mission of making the dreams of children suffering from illnesses come true. The Flight in Search of Santa is greatly enjoyed by the children and their families. Air Transat generously provides us with its equipment and the resources we need to create an unforgettable event. We salute this initiative and the enthusiasm of the entire Air Transat team.”
Mr. Ramage added: “We are proud to have been a frontline partner of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada for the past three years. Our employees have embraced this cause, which is in line with their own values and Air Transat’s. Much time and effort has gone into making the dreams of these children come true. Our customers’ contributions play a very important part and we thank them for their extraordinary generosity.”
The Flight in Search of Santa was made possible by the generous contribution of several partners and Air Transat employees, who participated on a completely volunteer basis.
About The Children’s Wish Foundation
The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada is a national, grassroots organization dedicated to providing a once in a lifetime experience for children diagnosed with high-risk, life threatening illnesses. The Foundation is the only all-Canadian organization with offices from coast to coast granting wishes for these special children. The standard of personal care and attention given to each wish sets the Foundation apart from any other organization. The Children’s Wish Foundation takes pride in the fact that it has never refused an eligible child.
About Air Transat
Air Transat is Canada’s leading holiday travel airline. It carries some 2.5 million passengers annually to nearly 60 destinations in 25 countries. Air Transat has a fleet of 16 Airbus A330s and A310s. The company employs approximately 2,000 people. Air Transat is a subsidiary of Transat A.T. Inc., an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries.
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Information:
Juan Herrera
Optimum Public Relations
604-647-2954
juan.herrera@cossette.com
Carrie Chubb
Children’ss Wish Foundation of Canada
604-229-2241 (ext. 225)
carrie.chubb@childrenswish.ca
