BRITISH Airways' Bermuda passengers who have dropped money into the UNICEF packets on the flights to or from London will be pleased to learn of a landmark event in this fund-raising partnership's history.

The Change for Good partnership between BA and the United Nations Children's Fund is celebrating its tenth anniversary today with a visit by the Queen to London's Heathrow Airport. She will unveil a Boeing 747 aircraft which will be named Change for Good and carry the logo of the partnership around the world.

Bermuda has been a strong supporter since the inception of the programme, which has raised more than $25 million and benefited children in more than 50 countries. Change for Good is operated on all BA flights world-wide and, each month, cabin crew collect an average of $225,000 donated by passengers.

The money is used to help care for children in poor communities around the world, and helps provide for healthcare, clean water and sanitation, education, the protection of street children, immunisation projects and support and education for communities affected by Aids.

About one-third of the money collected has been spent in Africa. In December, assistance to restore water and sanitation was given to the victims of the Bam earthquake in Iran. It is estimated that 2,500 children were orphaned by the quake, and relief is ongoing to help the children who are showing severe signs of trauma.

BA's Bermuda manager Philip Troake said: "We would like to thank Bermuda for its ongoing support. Over ten years, both the Bank of Bermuda and the Bank of Butterfield have kindly donated foreign coins they are unable to repatriate. Francs, lire and pesetas are still accepted although they are no longer accepted as legal tender because of the switch to the euro.

"Almost every week we are delighted that residents, schools and companies deliver foreign coins to our offices, which are sent on to London with the flight crews."