LSTM has today launched a new campaign, Bump It Forward, which aims to get donors to give the equivalent cost of their COVID vaccine as it rolls out across the UK and North America, to protect frontline workers in African countries until the vaccine reaches them.
The campaign aims to provide PPE and other essential items to support colleagues and frontline health workers in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Kenya initially. Donors can give via LSTM’s donation form and JustGiving page.
Karen Brady, Director of Fundraising, said “we know from colleagues working in under-resourced and fragile health systems that dealing with a second wave and new strain of COVID-19 is a monumental challenge. Hospitals and community healthcare settings are operating without the basics to protect their staff and patients. We hope that by asking people to Bump It Forward, they will recognise the privileged position we are in and be inspired to support those in poorer countries until they too can receive the vaccine”.
Dr Jamie Rylance, COVID Lead at MLW said “We have been amazed by the generosity given by donors, in the first wave of COVID. We’ve been able to make good plans and provision to keep our health workers safe and provide high quality care to our patients. That needs to continue; many colleagues are off ill with COVID and the health workforce is depleted. We need to make sure that the rest of the workforce stay safe and can look after the increasing numbers of patients coming through the doors”
#BumpItForward is GROWING. A third COVID-19 wave is impacting many African countries and only a small percentage of the population is vaccinated. Rapid diagnostic testing and more PPE will help control the spread and protect health workers and communities until the vaccine reaches them.
You can help. Donating the cost of a vaccine (c£25) will cover four tests and help to save lives.