News
The Special Children Travel Fund launches a new and improved website
The Special Children Travel Fund, for children with long-term illnesses and children living with difficult circumstances, today launches a new and improved website. In commemoration of Icelandair’s 70th anniversary this year, travel grants will be awarded to 70 Special Children.
“From the beginning, our goal has been to allow as many people as possible to benefit from the fund. Since 2003, we have helped over 100 families take a longed-for holiday and this year, to commemorate Icelandair’s 70th anniversary, we want to do even better. Through the upgrade of the website we wish to ensure good access to information about the fund and to simplify the application process. We have also upgraded the web servers, modernised the site in terms of accessibility, and made it easier for the public to gain information about the fund’s work online,” says Sigurður Helgason, Chairman of the Board of the fund.
The Special Children Travel Fund was established by Icelandair on the First Day of Summer, 2003. Patron of the fund is Ms Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former President of Iceland. The fund is financed in three ways. First, through Icelandair’s founding contribution of ISK 3 million. Second, through donations by members of the Icelandair Frequent Flyer Club, who have the option of donating a certain number of their frequent flyer miles annually. Third, through surplus change that passengers place in envelopes provided in the seat pockets of Icelandair aircraft, which are collected by flight attendants at the end of each flight. Allocations from the fund are made twice a year, on the First Day of Summer and the First Day of Winter in Iceland. The next allocation will be on 19 April 2007, the First Day of Summer, with the deadline for applications being 1 March 2007.
The website was designed and constructed by Hugsmiðjan, which also acts as service provider. Hugsmiðjan specialises in accessibility for the web, and counts the Iceland Federation of the Disabled and the Iceland Association of the Blind among its clients. The design of the website is in accordance with the most modern accessibility standards.
