Guernsey Press

Islanders raise more than £20k for Covax scheme

A CAMPAIGN working to deliver the biggest vaccine drive in history has raised more than £20,000 in donations from islanders.

Published
Overseas Aid & Development Commission president Chris Blin. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 29839178)

The Overseas Aid & Development Commission invited islanders to support Unicef UK and Crowdfunder’s VaccinAid, which are striving to provide two billion Covid vaccines to high risk and vulnerable people in the poorer parts of the world this year.

Local donations have ranged from £5 to an anonymous donation of £5,000.

Individuals and groups have been raising money in a variety of ways, including a bake-off at the Guernsey Post and badge selling at La Hougette School’s rights respecting club.

Commission president Deputy Chris Blin said: ‘I am so encouraged by the support that Unicef and the commission have received.

‘Less than £3 provides the two vaccine doses needed to protect one individual, so Guernsey Post and La Houguette School’s separate efforts have jointly vaccinated more than 120 people in poorer countries and possibly saved lives.’

Vaccines in the Bailiwick were paid for by the UK government.

Deputy Blin said it was even more important therefore for the island to ‘pay it forward’ and help poorer countries who do not have access to free vaccinations.

‘The Bailiwick has benefited from the UK’s vaccine rollout so we in turn should do our bit for the poorer people of the world in the spirit of Guernsey Together,’ said Deputy Blin.

The Terrace Garden Cafe will be hosting a live music event to raise money for the campaign on 21 August.

Other fundraisers can register their events on the Guernsey VaccinAid website or simply donate the proceeds they have raised.