The fundraising partnership between Comic Relief and British Airways, which is marking its first anniversary this week is known as ‘Flying Start’, and aims to transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the UK and around the world.

Thousands of colleagues from British Airways have been engaged in fundraising activity over the past twelve months, including some great efforts for this year’s Red Nose Day campaign.  This includes setting a Guinness World Record for hosting the ‘Highest Stand-Up Comedy Gig in the World’ at 35,000ft with Dara O’Briain, Jack Whitehall and Jon Richardson performing live on-board. Around the business, colleagues entered the sprit of Red Nose Day, by hosting sponsored events; from aircraft-pulls, to leg waxing for men, a Concorde Ball in Manchester, and a motorbike trek to Madrid and back in five days.

The airline’s team of ‘fun-raisers’ have visited projects in London, Manchester, Kenya and Cape Town to see first hand how the money raised helps to improve the lives of children. The airline also enlisted the help of Comic Relief supporters Bill Nighy, Nick Frost and Sarah Harding who have joined the British Airways teams to see firsthand how the money raised helps transform lives.

Mary Barry, British Airways community investment manager, said: “We would like to thank our customers, celebrity supporters and hard working teams throughout British Airways for raising more than £1.3 million for Comic Relief over the past year. It is a fantastic achievement. Together we hope to bring lasting change to the lives of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people here in the UK and across the world.”

As the only year-round fundraising partner of Comic Relief, the airline continuously raises money through on-board collections, a donation page on ba.com/flyingstart, and offers customers the option to donate when purchasing flights and holidays at ba.com.

The airline supports both Red Nose Day and Sport Relief, which are hosted by Comic Relief on alternate years.