easyJet passengers raise over £420,000 in 3 months for Alzheimer’s Society

The funds were raised from in-flight collections of passenger's left over currency between July - September 2009.  easyJet chose Alzheimer's Society as its charity of the year after a vote by 7,000 members of staff from across Europe. It will continue to collect funds for Alzheimer's Society in 2010 and has pledged to raise £1 million in total for the charity.

Lynda Bellingham, Alzheimer's Society Ambassador and Loose Women presenter who launched the collections, says:

'I am delighted that easyJet and their passengers have raised over £420,000. This will help people live well with dementia today and fund research to find a cure for tomorrow.

I know the impact that dementia has on the whole family, having cared for my mum when she was ill. Alzheimer's Society relies upon the generosity of organisations like easyJet, their staff and passengers, to continue to provide information, education, support and care to families when they need it most.'

Andy Harrison, Chief Executive of easyJet, says:

'We are thrilled to have raised over £420,000 for Alzheimer's Society; I would like to express my gratitude to all our cabin crew for their support in raising these funds and thank all those passengers who generously donated money, particularly in these times of economic uncertainty.

There are over five million people with dementia in Europe making it a truly important cause for our staff and passengers. We look forward to continuing to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society in 2010 and reaching our target of £1 million!'