a star attraction

With TV presenter Melissa Doyle as its new ambassador, StarKids hits a bright note

Mel Doyle, Beth Germein
(Adelaide-based cabin crew),
World Vision CEO Tim Costello
and Jetstar CEO Alan Joyce

Since Jetstar’s inaugural flight almost four years ago, it’s been discussed throughout the company how the airline could best support a charity. This led to the establishment of World Vision’s innovative StarKids program, sponsored by Jetstar. StarKids brings together Jetstar’s nearly 2,000 strong staff and annual customer base of around 9 million passengers to raise awareness and help transform the lives of vulnerable and needy children.

Jetstar plans to raise AU$3 million over three years for World Vision community projects based in the airline’s key international destinations such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, and for domestic projects in Australia. The recent introduction of donation envelopes on board Jetstar flights makes it easy for passengers to donate to the program. Jetstar staff members are also encouraged to donate through a workplace giving program.

Further support has been given to the program with the announcement that Melissa Doyle, from Channel 7’s Sunrise breakfast program, is the new StarKids ambassador. Doyle’s long-standing relationship with World Vision and visits to community projects in Mongolia made her a natural fit for the StarKids initiative. “Sometimes people think that their small change won’t make a difference but having seen first-hand the great amount of good that can be achieved from a small contribution, I can assure you that it all helps.”

In her first role as StarKids ambassador, Doyle met with World Vision CEO Tim Costello and Jetstar CEO Alan Joyce in February to announce the exciting new partnership and to address Melbourne-based Jetstar staff. At the event, Alan Joyce presented a AU$90,000 corporate donation to World Vision. The funds were the result of various fundraising initiatives, including a promotion which saw Jetstar donate AU$5 for every domestic flight booked on Jetstar.com over a 24-hour period in August 2007.

And now passengers on international Jetstar routes can learn more about how they can become involved in the StarKids program with an in-flight video featuring Doyle. She is also hosting a trip to a World Vision project in one of Jetstar’s South-East Asian destinations later this year. We look forward to hearing about her experiences.

About Starkids
Jetstar has now taken their StarKids’ fundraising onboard with donation envelopes in the seat pocket of every Jetstar service. Passengers are encouraged to place small change in any currency into the envelopes. All monies raised will go to the StarKids’ program. This Jetstar and World Vision initiative aims to raise at least AU$3 million over three years for World Vision to fund programs assisting children in Australia and countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. For more information visit www.jetstar.com/starkids