Ex-Fiji Airways First Officer Launches Relief Fund to Assist Former Cabin Crew
Aformer employee of Fiji Airways has helped set up a GoFundMe campaign to financially assist the 435 Fiji Airways cabin crew staff who recently lost their jobs. GoFundMe is an online fundraising platform.
Adrianna Tiko, who was once a first officer at Fiji Airways, said she was saddened by the sudden termination of 758 Fiji Airways employees.
Setting up the GoFundMe campaign with her sister Stella TikoSimpson, Ms Tiko said the 435 cabin crew were “always known to possess the smiling, genuine and warm ‘Bula Spirit’ which all visitors and locals can attest to when flying the pride of the South Pacific.”
“We want to raise $304,500 (approximately $700 to each of the 435 crew) over the next five weeks to support these cabin crew, give them breathing space while deciding what to do for themselves and their families,” she said.
“Some are single parents with children, some are married with children, and some are also married couples who were both employed by the airline.
“We believe every individual should have confidence in providing for themselves and their families, be able to pay their rent and mortgage, keep lights on, have transportation, meet critical expenses and most importantly, put food on the table.”
Transparency
Ms Tiko said: “For transparency purposes, we are facilitating this with our sister (Lisa Tiko, an architect) in Australia, (as Fiji isn’t an approved country on the GoFundMe list), who will remit the funds to Fiji.
“We are making contact with the senior cabin crew in the union (Fiji Flight Attendant Union) who will assist us in distributing the funds accordingly to the adversely affected cabin crew. We thank you for all donations, however big or small is deeply, graciously accepted and appreciated.”
About Ms Tiko
Ms Tiko, was born in New Zealand, but was raised in Suva alongside her sister Ms Tiko-Simpson. They left their previous jobs and are now running their own company – Pepe & Pepe Fiji Limited. Their company sell items such as baby needs, purses, clutches, handbags and other products.