We need your support!
As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out, people in wealthier countries can access it quickly and for free.
Elsewhere, like us, countries are battling a second wave. But it may be some time before poorer countries can get the vaccine and the frontline healthcare workers risk their lives every day without adequate PPE and basic essentials like hand gel.
You can help by donating the equivalent cost of your vaccine, to protect them until they can get theirs.
#BumpItForward … give £25 …. Save lives
Why is Bump It Forward important?
As the vaccine rolls out in advanced economies, the health inequalities across the world become more stark. For example, in the UK, the vaccine rollout is well underway with every person eligible for a free vaccination on the NHS.
In poorer countries, it will take longer for the vaccine to reach even the most vulnerable or frontline workers. For health systems which are already woefully under-resourced, dealing with a second wave and new strain of COVID-19 is a monumental challenge.
Hospitals and clinics are operating without the basics to protect their staff and patients. PPE and basic sanitation is in short supply, frontline workers are dying or are at home sick with COVID-19 – without basic support, fragile health systems will be decimated of their most precious resource at this time – health workers.
#BumpItForward
With #BumpItForward, we are aiming to get vital equipment and supplies to frontline healthcare workers and support the most vulnerable people in the communities we serve.
“The Covid vaccine is now being rolled out in UK, but it will be a long time before it is available in Malawi, and we are crashing hard into our second wave here, with an overflowing hospital, rapidly increasing deaths, a National State of Disaster declared yesterday, and health care workers falling sick.”Professor Melita Gordon, MLW Malawi.
"There is inadequate PPE in most government facilities. We particularly have knowledge about public facilities in which Sisters' clinics are co-located. These hospitals and clinics have inadequate surgical masks and cleaning supplies and are sometimes making do without." Primrose Matambanadzo, CeSHHAR Zimbabwe.
News
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From: LSTMCoffee roastery donates some of its profits to support LSTM’s ‘Bump It Forward' campaignNews article25 Feb 2021 -
From: LSTMBump It Forward campaign donations start to make an impactNews article17 Feb 2021 -
From: LSTM£65,000 fundraising milestone reached in ‘Bump It Forward’ CampaignNews article8 Feb 2021 -
From: LSTMLSTM launches Bump It Forward campaignNews article21 Jan 2021
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From: LSTMCoffee roastery donates some of its profits to support LSTM’s ‘Bump It Forward' campaignNews article25 Feb 2021
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From: LSTMBump It Forward campaign donations start to make an impactNews article17 Feb 2021
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From: LSTM£65,000 fundraising milestone reached in ‘Bump It Forward’ CampaignNews article8 Feb 2021
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From: LSTMLSTM launches Bump It Forward campaignNews article21 Jan 2021
Your donations in action
With the help of more than 2,000 donors, the campaign has now raised over £100,000 and continues to invite public donations.
Karen Brady, Director of Fundraising at LSTM said: “Achieving the £100,000 mark is an incredible achievement. I want to thank everyone who has donated to, or shared, this campaign.”
“The response has given us the confidence to be even more ambitious and that with further support, we can significantly increase our scope and impact.”
The tranche of funding has now been transferred to LSTM teams in Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
In Malawi, donations have been distributed to the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and the Zomba Central Hospital, enabling the purchase of reusable gowns, face, and surgical masks.
Dr Rachael Burke, a PhD researcher and medical doctor in Malawi said “Zomba Central Hospital is doing a great job, providing quality, safe and dignified care in difficult circumstances. Like in UK, they have had staff shortages related to staff testing positive for COVID-19 which has made things more difficult.
“The senior nurses have designed a protocol to make best use of the reusable gowns and use Zomba hospital laundry services.”
“They are very grateful to receive the PPE donation; this is a brilliant adjunct to the PPE from Malawian government and private Malawian donors.”
Edward's story
Edward, works in the Finance Department at our partner institution, MLW. He unfortunately caught COVID-19 in June 2020. Thankfully, he has made a full recovery but, had it not been for philanthropic support from the Wellcome Trust and other donors, his outcome could have been very different.
Thank you!
You helped us reach our third stretch target of £65,000 - which is just incredible. We cannot thank you enough for your support. LSTM's new Chair, Jim McKenna, would like to share his thanks in this video.
The first tranches of funding have been sent to colleagues overseas, and we have received many public messages of support for the campaign and we are humbled by the solidarity shown.
With your support, we believe we can raise more funds to get vital equipment overseas as our colleagues, and their colleagues, wait to receive the vaccine and so we set a new target of £100,000!
Keep your eye out for our follow up stories about the impact your donation has made.
Hear from our colleagues in Africa:
How to support
You can support #BumpItForward by making a donation by visiting our JustGiving page. It's quick, easy and secure.
We gratefully accept cheques to: ‘Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine’ and send to: Fundraising Department, LSTM, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.