OREANDA-NEWS. The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) recognised Sydney Airport's Community Christmas Giving Appeal, which raised more than USD 180,000 for Variety - The Children's Charity at the SCCA Marketing Awards gala dinner held this week.

The six-week 2013 Appeal campaign engaged with passengers and customers, airport partners, stakeholders and local Rotary Clubs in the lead up to Christmas via a range of touchpoints, throughout T1 and T2, signage and points of sale, activations and social media and digital fundraising.

Some of the successful fundraising initiatives included a celebrity-studded launch event, gift wrapping, corporate donations, and cash collections managed by three local Rotary Clubs.

The campaign culminated in NSW Variety's famous Santa Fun Run, which saw more than 100 volunteer Santas gather on the tarmac around a jet aircraft.

"We are proud of the overwhelming response to the appeal from the airport community, which meant we were able to raise USD 180,000 enabling Variety to continue to provide life-changing support to children in the areas of mobility, independence and self esteem," Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said.

"Sydney Airport works closely with our local community, supporting schools, businesses and charities throughout the year and the Christmas Giving Appeal is a wonderful initiative in the lead up to Christmas."

"This campaign was a great example of true teamwork, and we are incredibly grateful and proud of our partnership with Sydney Airport," Variety - The Children's Charity Head of Fundraising, Kerry Gonski said.

Sydney Airport is reigniting its partnership with Variety for its 2014 Christmas Campaign, which includes a Breakfast with Santa event taking place on Saturday, 22 November 2014.