22nd August 2006
On the 22nd August Emma Knie, an employee of the Virgin Holidays group, organized a charity drive to raise money and further awareness about her charity trip to South Africa this pas May. The day aimed to raise money for the various aid organizations she visited through varied activities including a Raffle, a fancy dress competition, and quizzes which together raised �484.50. However, the biggest success of the day by far was the staff education about Virgin Unite, the charitable arm of the Virgin Group set up by Sir Richard Branson himself, and the issues in South Africa.
South Africa has huge problems with the high level of HIV infections among the general population and the resulting deaths from AIDS has left thousands of children orphaned and alone. Virgin Unite has long been supporting a range of projects in South Africa and as part of these initiatives Emma, along with nine other Virgin employees from around the globe, joined together during the volunteer trip in May to participate. Despite the countries ongoing struggles Emma and the other volunteers learnt only too well of the incredible upbeat and resilient nature of South Africa.
Amongst the projects visited were Pride and Purpose, the local charity connected to Ulusaba: Richard Branson�s Game Reserve. This charity is committed to working alongside and helping the local community of Dumphries to achieve self-sustainability, aiming to help people to help themselves. Virgin Holidays� loyalty club the �Frequent Virgin Club� also supports this charity and recently raised �3,000 to fund a community sewing co-operative.
Emma has been with Virgin Holidays for over six months now and through this opportunity she feels truly privileged to have been able to participate in such a life altering experience.
For more info on Virgin Unite log onto www.virginunite.com
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Press Enquiries: Virgin Holidays Press Office
Tel: 01293 744228/744616