News Releases

New partnership yields donation of over 500 flights to charity

CALGARY, Sept. 2 /CNW/ - Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of
Canada and WestJet today announced a new initiative whereby WestJet will
donate flights to the charity, which is dedicated to helping children with
serious illnesses or disabilities and their families lead happier and
healthier lives.
Through the airline's community investment program, WestJet Cares for
Kids, WestJet will donate more than 500 single flights to support RMHC
families, fundraising and administration.
"Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada is thrilled to receive such
strong support from WestJet," says Shelagh Barrett, Executive Director, of
RMHC. "We know that when a child faces serious illness or disability, they
face it better as a family. WestJet's generous donation of flights for our
families and other comforts of home allow us to better support the families
using a Ronald McDonald House® and benefiting from RMHC."
"WestJet is dedicated to supporting children's health through community
investment," says Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President of Culture and
Communications. "We strive to empower all WestJetters to make a difference in
their communities. Working with Ronald McDonald House Charities will allow us
to extend our caring culture to many courageous families and children. We
think this is a wonderful opportunity for both organizations that has great
potential to grow."
In addition to the gift of flight, WestJet also gave RMHC a cash donation
of $20,000 in January 2008 to be allocated to providing comfort and necessity
items to families using a Ronald McDonald House through a Family Welcome Packs
program. Often referred to as the House that Love Built® a Ronald McDonald
House is a home-away-from-home where families of seriously ill children can
stay while their child receives treatment at a nearby hospital. It is a place
where families can be together and kids can share experiences with others who
are just like them. There are 12 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Canada is a registered charity
that is dedicated to helping children with serious illnesses or disabilities,
and their families, lead happier and healthier lives. RMHC achieves this by
supporting each Canadian Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald Family
Room® Program and by awarding grants to many other children's charities
across the country.
Since its inception in 1982, RMHC Canada has awarded more than $58
million in grants to the 12 Ronald McDonald Houses, the Ronald McDonald Family
Rooms and to many children's charities across Canada. This support has
benefited thousands of children and families in more than 600 communities.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's leading high-value low-cost airline offering
scheduled service throughout its 51-city North American and Caribbean network.
Named Canada's most admired corporate culture in 2005, 2006 and 2007, WestJet
pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom and
leather seats on its modern fleet of 76 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft,
and live seatback television provided by Bell ExpressVu. With future confirmed
deliveries for an additional 45 aircraft, bringing its fleet to 121 by 2013,
WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.