British Airways union crowdfunds more than £65,000 in three days for sacked cabin crew in Hong Kong

The GoFundMe campaign has exploded, with thousands of people pledging their support

The campaign has attracted thousands of pledges (Bassa)

A crowdfunding campaign to raise money for British Airways cabin crew in Hong Kong who have been made redundant has gained £67,787 in pledges.

The GoFundMe campaign, set up by unions Bassa and Mixed Fleet Unite, has racked up the amount in just three days, making it unusually successful for a business-related page.

More than 2,500 people have given their support so far, helping the campaign accrue 77 per cent of its £88,000 target since it launched on 28 September.

The campaign says it is raising the money for “our unjustly sacked colleagues, British Airways Hong Kong International cabin crew".

“These colleagues were callously invited to a meeting and handed a letter from British Airways informing them they are too ‘expensive’ to employ and terminating their contract with immediate effect.

“A percentage of these crew have now been offered just one month’s salary in lieu of notice, others will leave with nothing.

“We all believe that this is morally and fundamentally wrong.

“At a stroke British Airways has taken away the livelihoods, career and future for our once valued international colleagues.”

The money will be sent to Carol Ng, general secretary of the BA Hong Kong International Cabin Crew Association, to distribute among her members.

British Airways has denied the claim that Hong Kong crew members “will leave with nothing”, stating that all employees were offered redundancy pay.

A spokesperson told The Independent: “We have thanked colleagues for their hard work and dedication and told them that the cabin crew base at Hong Kong will be closing at the end of October.

“The decision follows a detailed and thorough review of our global operation and we have promised our cabin crew based in Hong Kong our full support at this time.

“We are confident we can continue to offer customers on this route the world-class service they deserve.”

The campaign has been shared more than 5,000 times on social media at the time of writing, with many sending messages of solidarity as well as donating.

Mandie Dingleton wrote: “Offering my heartfelt support to our wonderful colleagues, absolutely appalled at what's happened!”

Frequent flyer Julius wrote: “As a BA Gold passenger who has frequently travelled this route, I am appalled at the contempt BA management must hold for their staff. How can any organisation think that letting people go with zero notice is just or fair.

“It beggars belief that some people sat around a table and thought that this decision was a good idea. Disgusting behaviour and my heart reaches out to all the loyal crew in Hong Kong.”