Flybe adopts Cancer Research UK as new charity partner

Flybe has adopted Cancer Research UK, the world's leading charity dedicated to cancer research, as its new national charity partner. Flybe is currently Cancer Research UK's only airline charity partner and, during the official ceremony held at the company’s Exeter headquarters, the carrier unveiled a dedicated plane to honour the new relationship and raise awareness of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.

Celebrations to mark the start of the new partnership were led by Flybe Chairman & CEO Jim French and Paul Farthing, Cancer Research UK’s Director of High Value Relationships, at Flybe’s New Walker Hanger at Exeter International Airport. Together, they unveiled a Q400 aircraft bearing the message: Flybe & Cancer Research UK – Together we will beat cancer. They were cheered on by Flybe employees, many decked out in pink to mark October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The plane will travel across Flybe’s extensive network throughout the coming months to ensure the message is spread far and wide.

As the charity partnership takes off, Flybe’s 3,000 staff will be involved in a wide range of fundraising activities. Amongst the first employee to raise funds for Cancer Research UK is one of Flybe’s Exeter-based Q400 Captains, Simon Burke who, also present at today’s event, will be running the New York Marathon in November to raise funds for the charity.

More than one in three people in the UK will develop cancer at some time in their lives. Thankfully, more and more people are surviving the disease thanks to huge advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer made possible by ongoing research. All money raised by Flybe will help fund the vital research of over 4,500 research scientists, doctors and nurses throughout the UK and, ultimately, help to beat cancer.

Jim French said: “Flybe is really very proud to be working with Cancer Research UK and especially proud that we are currently Cancer Research UKs only airline charity partner. Dedicating a plane is a fitting way for us to show our support and help highlight the importance of research in beating cancer.”

Paul Farthing commented: “I’m delighted to be here to celebrate the start of what we hope will be a very successful partnership with Flybe. That they’ve chosen to mark the occasion by dedicating a plane in honour of Cancer Research UK is fantastic and shows how committed they are to helping to beat cancer.”

Adds Mr French: “It is a sad fact that cancer impacts the lives of so many of us. Cancer survival rates have doubled in the last 30 years and Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of that progress. This was an important factor for us when choosing this particular charity to work with and we look forward to doing our bit to help Cancer Research UK continue its life-saving work.”

To find out more about Cancer Research UK visit cancerresearchuk.org.uk.