FedEx and United Airlines have donated a $2 million plane to thenon-profit development organisation ORBIS International in order to create a new Flying EyeHospital, an aircraft containing an innovative teaching facility and ophthalmic surgical centre. Inthe UK, FedEx has donated a vehicle to the Salvation Army for emergency rescues.
The new aircraft being fund equally by FedEx and United Airlines has aflying life of at least 20 years and will be more efficient providing greater range, loweroperating cost and better reliability then the 10 years older previous model, FedEx said in astatement. Design and architectural modification necessary to convert the freighter into astate-of-the-art ophthalmic medical facility is expected to take two years to complete.
“The new aircraft will allow ORBIS to continue its mobile sight-savingtraining for 20 years,” says ORBIS Executive Director Geoffrey Holland.
The Flying Eye Hospital is flown across the globe by volunteer pilotsfrom FedEx Express and United while the international medical team conducts treatment and trainingprograms. With the new aircraft ORBIS will be able to deliver sight-saving expertise, blindnessprevention and treatment to developing nations for years to come.
Meanwhile, FedEx Corporation donated a $ 96,000 new emergency responseunit as part of an 11-vehicle worldwide donation to The Salvation Army’s World ServicesOrganisation (SAWSO). The donation reflects a wider FedEx commitment to the international work ofthe Salvation Army Emergency and Disaster Response Services.
The new unit becomes part of a fleet of 26 purpose-built Salvation Armymobile units across Great Britain. It will be one of three units within the Greater London areaavailable for use by the London Fire Brigade and other emergency services to cover emergencies inthe capital.
