Singapore Airlines' A380 maiden flight to Sydney, not only marks a new chapter in aviation, it also benefitted four charity and volunteer groups.
The ground-breaking commercial flight on Thursday raised US$1.26 million from the charity auction of 662 one-way seats to Sydney and back, attracting bidders from 35 nationalities around the world.
SIA presented the donations to Medecins Sans Frontiéres, also known as Doctors Without Borders, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, shortly after the superjumbo landed in Sydney Airport on Thursday.
Singapore's Community Chest was presented with proceeds from the auction at the A380's official Departure Function at Changi Airport earlier on Thursday morning.
About 15 per cent of the successful bids came from Australians.
Thanking SIA for the donation, Dr Nick Wood, President of Medecins Sans Frontiéres Australia, said: 'Our organisation sends as many as 3,000 volunteers around the world each year, to provide urgent medical care to people in need.
'The generosity of Singapore Airlines and the global community that responded so eagerly to the auction is sincerely appreciated, and the proceeds will make a considerable contribution to our operations in locations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Laos, Malawi or the continuing human tragedy that is Darfur.'
Dr Tony Penna, Chief Executive, The Children's Hospital at Westmead said the donation will go a long way to boosting research programmes and support services for children and families throughout treatment and recovery.
'The Children's Hospital at Westmead is the largest children's hospital in New South Wales and provides a variety of unique and specialised services. For example, the Hospital is home to the state's only paediatric burns unit and the liver transplant unit, which saves the lives of desperately ill children.
'It is only through the exceptional generosity of donors such as Singapore Airlines that these services can exist. We are happy to be here today to receive these vital funds and thank Singapore Airlines for being a strong partner in saving young lives.'
Ms Elizabeth Crundall, Chief Executive, of Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation, said the collaborative support for the auction has set a benchmark for Corporate Australia.
'Through the A380 First Flight Charity Auction, Singapore Airlines has set an extraordinary example of corporate philanthropy, bringing together multiple organisations to benefit those in need; including many seriously injured children through our Hospital's Trauma Services who will benefit tremendously from these funds.
'With trauma remaining the leading cause of death among children, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, one of Australia's leading specialist medical centres, offers specialised care to critically injured children from all corners of New South Wales and beyond,' she said.
'With 100 per cent of the sale of each ticket benefiting community groups such as ours, this is a precedent for corporate Australia to follow. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for reaching into your hearts and pockets to help make a difference to the thousands of critical ill and injured young patients cared for by Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.'
The Singapore Airlines A380 is expected to return from Sydney to Singapore at about 10.20 pm on Friday.
