The Riyadh-based Disabled Children Association (DCA) and the local carrier Flynas launched on Wednesday a fund-raising campaign for the benefit of handicapped children under the age of 12.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, DCA chairman, said that the choice of Flynas as a partner in the campaign was made after a thorough evaluation of its operations and what it has done for the Kingdom.

“We’re keen in choosing our partners in promoting the welfare of handicapped children all over the Kingdom. Flynas has done much for the economy,” Prince Sultan bin Salman said.

The prince, who is also the founder and chairman of the Prince Salman Center for Disability Research (PSCDR), said that his interest in Flynas as a partner in advancing the cause of disabled children is also because he, himself, is an aviation enthusiast.

He added that Flynas has done much for local tourism by transporting local and foreign tourists to various destinations in the Kingdom.

The prince, who is also the president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), had earlier announced that the Kingdom is set to create 1.7 million jobs over the six coming years.

He also said that the DCA already has 11 centers looking after the welfare of handicapped children under 12 years old.

“We’re looking forward to a meaningful and fruitful partnership with Flynas, which is expected to facilitate fund-raising for the handicapped for a better life,” he told the press.

He noted that the DCA started the project many years ago through partnerships with major companies and banks in the Kingdom.

He added that the DCA is optimistic with its partnership with Flynas regarding the future of handicapped children, noting the presence Flynas Holding Group CEO Suliman Al-Hamdan and Flynas CEO Raja Azmi.

For his part, Azmi, said that Flynas initially donated SR200,000 to the campaign, although he added that what is more important is that “the campaign provides a conduit for others to also help and donate.”