Qantas and Australian Red Cross Launch Major Partnership to Boost National Emergency Response Capabilities

(IN SHORT) Qantas has announced a new three-year partnership with the Australian Red Cross, providing multi-million dollar support to enhance the organization’s emergency response across Australia. The partnership will facilitate quicker and more cost-effective deployment of Red Cross personnel during crises and support the recruitment and training of 750 new volunteers. Qantas will also support the Red Cross’s Trauma Teddy® program, which comforts children and vulnerable individuals during emergencies. This collaboration builds on a long history of cooperation between Qantas and the Australian Red Cross.

(PRESS RELEASE) Sydney, Australia, 2024-Aug-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Qantas has announced a significant new partnership with the Australian Red Cross, committing multi-million dollar support over the next three years to strengthen the organization’s emergency response efforts across Australia. This partnership will enable Red Cross personnel to travel swiftly across the country during crises, reducing costs and improving response times for communities in need.

The collaboration comes as the Australian Red Cross celebrates 110 years of service. The funding from Qantas will support the recruitment and training of 750 new volunteers, equipping them with essential skills in psychological and medical first aid. Additionally, Qantas will partner with the Red Cross’s Trauma Teddy® program, which provides comfort to children and vulnerable individuals during emergencies, with up to 50,000 teddies distributed annually.

Markus Svensson, CEO of Qantas Domestic, expressed pride in the long-standing relationship between the two organizations, highlighting the shared commitment to connecting and supporting Australian communities. Penny Harrison, Deputy CEO of Australian Red Cross, emphasized the importance of this partnership in enabling volunteers to effectively assist communities across the nation.

This partnership builds on a history of collaboration between Qantas and the Australian Red Cross, dating back to the 1940s, and continues a legacy of support during Australia’s most challenging times.

HISTORY OF QANTAS AND AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS 

• In 1949 Qantas transported six tons of rice on Qantas DC-4 aircraft to the Philippines.

• In 1963 Qantas transported supplies to East Pakistan following a cyclone.

• In the 1950s Qantas supported Red Cross blood donations in 1950 by offering a flying boat flight to Fiji as a prize.

• Qantas also sponsored the 1958 Red Cross ‘Bride of the Year’ by offering a 1000-pound Super Constellation flight around the world for the bride that raised the most money for Australian Red Cross.

• In 1974 Qantas and Australian Red Cross worked side-by-side to support community following Cyclone Tracy. This activation resulted in Qantas setting a world record for carrying the most passengers on board a Boeing 747 and Australian Red Cross mobilised 2,700 volunteers.

• In 2019-20 Qantas donated to Australian Red Cross bushfire relief fund as well as supporting their fundraising efforts through the extensive Qantas network.

• In 2022 Qantas worked with Australian Red Cross to deliver Christmas presents on QantasLink aircraft to the Northern Rivers following floods and in 2023, did the same to the Western Downs region of Queensland following the bushfires.

Visual assets can be found here.

Media Contact:

Qantas:
Tel:+61 418 210 005
email: qantasmedia@qantas.com.au

Australian Red Cross:
Tel: 1800 733 443
Email: media@redcross.org.au

Source: Qantas

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