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Airline hopes a stach-fastic plane will take fundraising efforts to new heights

CALGARY, Nov. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced it will be having a little Mo fun during the month of November as it raises funds in support of prostate cancer and men's mental health initiatives.

The airline will release Movember-themed vignettes. These digital shorts will air on WestJet's YouTube channel.

In 2011, WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky was a Movember participant, raising $85,000 and becoming one of the top individual Movember fundraisers in the world. This year, Gregg and WestJetters will be participating - and fundraising - as a team.

"Movember allows us to do all the things we, as a company, love to do: have fun and support a worthwhile cause," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "I'm so pleased to see WestJetters, our Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, from across our network joining in on the Movember fun. You know what they say, the Mo' the merrier.

"As we launch our own Movember initiatives, we're issuing a challenge to all corporations across Canada. To the organization with the highest employee participation by percentage, we will give two round-trip tickets to anywhere WestJet flies to be used for their fundraising purposes," concluded Gregg Saretsky.

"Some of the things Movember is passionate about include men's health, doing good, having fun and moustaches," said Pete Bombaci, National Country Director of Movember Canada. "WestJet has joined the ranks of hundreds across the country in helping out with all four in a big way."

The focus of the campaign is to support WestJetters in their care for a cause, a sentiment that mirrors the airline's established Community Investment programs, many of which focus on children's health and wellness. WestJet Cares for Kids works with six national charities that impact child's health and wellness issues. WestJetters Caring for Our Community supports WestJetters who give their time and passions to organizations in their communities. As an important part of WestJet's culture, both programs empower WestJet owners to be active participants in giving back to the communities where WestJetters live and work.

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's most preferred airline, offering scheduled service to 81 destinations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Powered by an award-winning culture of care, WestJet has pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Recognized nationally as a top employer, WestJet now has more than 8,600 WestJetters across Canada. Operating a fleet of 99 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft with future confirmed deliveries for an additional 36 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft through 2018 and plans to launch a low-cost regional airline in 2013, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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Image with caption: "WestJet unveils "Mo Boe," one of the airline's Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft sporting a moustache in support of Movember. (CNW Group/WestJet)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121102_C4001_PHOTO_EN_19967.jpg

SOURCE: WestJet