The flying kangaroo has promised to donate $3 million to provide relief to Australia’s drought-affected farming communities.
Which is a very nice way to start the weekend, if you ask us.
The airline has partnered up with Rural Aid to help fund hay bales, water trucking, groceries and mental health counsellors for farming communities struggling to survive the worst drought conditions parts of Australia have seen in decades.
See also: Bale a booking and help provide drought relief with Chimu adventures
The program includes an immediate $1 million cash donation by Qantas to Rural Aid, followed by a number of Qantas and Jetstar appeal initiatives to raise another $1 million with the help of customers.
The initiatives include two special fundraising charter flights, a frequent flyers donation initiative and collection barrels.
Qantas will then match these fundraising efforts, with the aim of providing the charity with a total donation of $3 million by the end of 2018.
The airline will also support its employees to join Rural Aid’s Farm Rescue program and volunteer their time repairing farming equipment, fixing homes and building fences on rural properties around Australia.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the worsening drought had triggered the national carrier to quickly develop a support package in addition to what it already does in regional Australia.
“Qantas started in the outback. Many of our staff live there and we have a lot of farming families who supply everything from beef to broccoli that we serve customers. We feel we have a duty to help these communities who are doing it so tough,” said Joyce.
