British Airways in Bahrain Rows around the Globe for Flying Start

British Airways team members in Bahrain rowed around the canals of the Amwaj Islands in support of Flying Start, the global charity partnership between British Airways and Comic Relief UK. 

Not travelling by plane this time, employees of the airline were running, rowing and cycling around the globe as part of an eight day worldwide charity race. On September 14, Maha Al Abbas and Deborah Beedie from the British Airways’ team in Bahrain donned red clown noses, Comic Relief’s traditional symbol, and rowed 2.3 miles each around Amwaj raising both money and cheers. 

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported Flying Start by donating money and sending through countless messages of ‘good luck’ – they are much appreciated. It’s great that everyone can contribute to this charity and help children who live tough lives around the world,” said Deborah Beedie and Maha Al Abbas. 

British Airways employees around the world partook in the challenge and completed the 16,334 mile race around the world with two days to spare, but the challenge continued until September 19 to raise as much money as possible and over £53,000 was collectively raised. Flying Start is a project that focuses on giving children and their families a helping hand rather than a handout to help create lasting change. All the money raised as part of the initiative will go to helping children living at risk in the UK, Africa and the US.