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Virgin Atlantic Airways partners with New Life Foundation to offer quality Medical Aid to Mumbai's Street Children

Project Zindagi Devakana to benefit nearly 2400 children in 42 locations in Mumbai

Mumbai, 24 August 2007: The dream of quality healthcare to all children in India including the lesser privileged will soon be a reality with the initiative by Virgin Atlantic Airways, New Life Medical and Educational Trust (NLMET). The project called Zindagi Devakana was rolled out today by Judith Wilcox, Regional Manager, India Subcontinent, Virgin Atlantic Airways .

Virgin Atlantic Airways' 'Change for Children' is an onboard appeal in aid of charities undertaking projects that benefit children worldwide. The onboard charity, 'Change for Children', takes all the loose foreign change that no-one knows what to do with and uses it to support charities that undertake specific healthcare projects for the benefit of children worldwide. "Getting involved and doing things differently, it's always been the Virgin way. With our support for New Life Foundation , Virgin Atlantic Airways stands committed to make a sustainable difference in the region." said Judith.

In India , 'Zindagi Devakana' (medical dispensary) has been chosen to benefit from Virgin Atlantic Airways' initiative. Zindagi Devakana currently provides over 1800 children in the balwadis (child care centers) with mobile medical and dental screening. This will also include the provision of the required drugs and vitamins that are prescribed by the clinicians.

Zindagi is an initiative of NLMET.The children who would normally not have access to quality preschool education are benefiting from the Balwadi project run by New Life Medical and Educational Trust in Mumbai India . NLMET, a non profit organization set up in 1982, presently runs 42 balwadis in the city of Mumbai with a total strength of 2,318 children.

The program targets unschooled children and works among communities where education is a low priority. With a strong work legacy behind us and now with the funding from Virgin Atlantic Airways we intend to maximize out reach to the lesser privileged children.

About Virgin Atlantic Airways

Virgin Atlantic Airways is Britain 's second largest long haul airline and currently operates 14 flights every week between India and the UK , with daily services to London from Delhi and Mumbai. Since its launch into Indian subcontinent in June 2000, Virgin Atlantic has established itself as a competitive industry player within Indian aviation space that brings unique elements of international travel and continues to renew its commitment to India .

On its long haul routes Virgin Atlantic operates a three class service: Upper Class (the airline's business class,) Premium Economy and Economy. Virgin Atlantic launched the Upper Class Suite in November 2003 - a product which has won some of the most prestigious design awards in the industry and is now onboard all aircraft in the airlines fleet.

About New Life Medical and Education Trust

New Life Medical and Educational Trust (NLMET) was founded in 1982 to provide housing, employment, education and heathcare. It has also responded to a number of humanitarian needs in the nation including Cyclone relief in Orissa, earthquake relief in Gujarat and Tsunami relief in Nagapattanum. Our goal is, in partnership with others, to help bring a transformation in the city of Mumbai through sustainable programs directed towards the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the city.