Etihad Airways donates proceeds of fun run to support children with autism

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has donated the proceeds of its charity fun run marathon, held last month as part of the airline’s 10-year anniversary celebrations, to the Abu Dhabi Centre for Autism.
The donation was used to fund a special vocational arts and crafts workshop to develop the children’s abilities and provide them with the technical skills needed to become contributing members of society.
Etihad Airways also donated a substantial number of iPads to the center to be used as teaching aids for the Al-Zohour group comprising children with high functioning autism. This is the second time Etihad Airways has donated iPads to the center as the devices have proven to be successful educational tools.
Khaled Al-Mehairbi, the airline’s SVP for government and aero political affairs and chairman of its sports and social committee, said: “Etihad Airways is committed to active participation in causes that assist people and communities across its global network and especially in its home base of Abu Dhabi.
“Every child deserves the best education possible and we are pleased to play a vital role in the development and training of autistic children, and ultimately in their integration into society.”
Mohamed Fadel Al-Hamli, deputy chairman and secretary-general of the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, said: “I would like to extend our appreciation to Etihad Airways for its generous initiative in providing funds, iPads and other electronic equipment that will enable the center to continue providing rehabilitative care and vocational training to children with autism.”
The Abu Dhabi Autism Centre was established in 2002 as part of the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs and aims to provide psychiatric and educational services to children with autism and helps integrate them in the community.