Vicki Uses Her Job in the Skies to Make a Difference on the Ground!

Photo Credit: Lisa Ashton

All sorts of donations are constantly making their way from London to Johannesburg in crew cases because of Vicki!

Johannesburg, South Africa (11 September 2026) – We have a soft spot for the people who do good just because they can. Vicki Earl’s incredible story left us inspired!

Vicki has been moonlighting as a ‘Chief Elf’ in the charity department for seven Christmases.

That’s the name the Winnie Mabaso Foundation affectionately gave her after she has spent years rallying everyone she could, from halfway across the world, to support vulnerable children in South Africa.

Vicki isn’t a charity founder, and she doesn’t have a public platform behind her. In 2019, she found an organisation doing work that spoke to her, and she found a way to help. She then began rallying the people around her and has since become an incredible force for good.

That is why we wanted to tell you about her.

The Winnie Mabaso Foundation supports vulnerable children, families and elderly community members in South Africa, and Christmas was Vicki’s first opening to lend a hand.

Seven years ago, Vicki rallied colleagues and co-workers to help her fill 28 gift boxes for children supported by the foundation. More than 1250 have since been delivered over the past seven years! Each and every single box that goes through Vicki’s hands is prepared with a recipient in mind.

“I first met Vicki onboard a Virgin Atlantic flight between London and Johannesburg. What started as a simple conversation led to one of the most inspiring stories I have ever heard. Seven years ago, Vicki organised Christmas gifts for just 28 vulnerable children supported by the Winnie Mabaso Foundation in Johannesburg. It was a small act of kindness, driven entirely by heart.” shares Liezl Gericke, friend and colleague of Vicki.

“Over the past seven years, she and her supporters have already delivered more than 1250 Christmas gift boxes.”

Several Christmases later, Vicki is still collecting presents for children. And the helping has spilt far beyond the festive season, too.

Throughout the year, she rallies colleagues, friends, family, business partners and even complete strangers to collect whatever is needed. She collects clothes, shoes, books, toys, bedding and toiletries that all make their way to the communities supported by the foundation.

“The support reaches far beyond Christmas.” says Liezl. “Children living in a place of safety after experiencing abuse, abandonment or neglect. A preschool. Homework clubs. Sports programmes. A sewing school. A boys’ empowerment programme. A granny club. Community gardens. Even a feeding station that recently served more than 1500 people in a single day.”

All sorts of donations are constantly making their way from London to Johannesburg in crew cases because of Vicki. Her job as a Flight Service Manager with Virgin Atlantic has given her a unique bridge between London and Johannesburg. She uses the networks and opportunities around her work to keep opening doors for the foundation. Donations and supplies find their way south through the support of colleagues and partners who have bought into what she is doing.

It’s a lovely example of using the world already around you to do something extra with it! Earlier this year, Vicki’s extra effort – because none of this amazing stuff is actually her job – was recognised.

Vicki was honoured with the airline’s Red Spirit Award, one of its highest internal honours, in recognition of her work using business as a force for good.

This year, Vicki is aiming to fill 320 Christmas boxes for children, families and elderly community members supported by the foundation. Which means Chief Elf is, once again, recruiting!