Low cost airline easyJet has announced that it is seeking a pan-European charity to be its “charity of the year” from November, offering the successful applicant a corporate donation of £50,000, staff fundraising activity and access to the airline’s 28 million passengers a year.

Charities wishing to apply should describe in under 400 words why they believe they should be charity of the year, and how they would publicise the partnership with easyJet. Shortlisted applicants will then be asked for a more comprehensive submission, with a final decision made by the end of September.

The airline said it was looking for: a pan-European charity to reflect the its ever growing European network; a charity that can mirror the fundamentals of the airline’s brand values - fun, unique, pushing boundaries, breaking with tradition; a productive relationship to assist the airline with the development of its policies; and support for PR events, internal and external fundraising and to be proactive in their approach.

Applications should be emailed to charities@easyJet.com by 1st September 2005.