Tuesday 07 September 2021
The Overseas Aid & Development Commission previously invited Islanders to support UNICEF UK and Crowdfunder's VaccinAid campaign, helping to deliver the biggest vaccine drive in history to the poorer people of the world.
The Commission is delighted to note that the Guernsey public appeal has now raised over £34,000 thanks to the generosity of Islanders.
This includes an extremely generous donation of £10,000 from Guernsey-based charity The Ellen Jane Rihoy Trust.
Since 2000, The Ellen Jane Rihoy Trust has been providing financial support to improve the livelihoods and opportunities of some of the world's most impoverished and marginalised communities including in Malawi, Kenya and South Africa.
Jeremy Rihoy, the Chairman of Rihoy & Son which founded the Trust, said:
"In Guernsey we are very fortunate to have easy and free access to vaccine treatment. It is easy to take this for granted but for many people in the World this is not the case. We are pleased to be able to assist the Guernsey Overseas Aid & Development Commission in this most worthwhile cause."
A separate supporter, The Terrace Garden Café, has also raised over £1,000 through beer sales and customer donations, as well as helping to promote the public appeal. It has allowed the Commission to display UNICEF VaccinAid banners on its prominent railings overlooking the Harbour.
Deputy Chris Blin, President of the Commission, said:
"The Ellen Jane Rihoy Trust has been a long-standing supporter of the Commission and I cannot express enough my gratitude to the Trust for its incredibly generous donation. Its contribution has given a massive boost to the public appeal.
I also with to thank The Terrace Garden Café for their successful fundraising efforts. I have been personally working with the Café on its fundraising initiative and can confirm that the owner and staff have gone out of their way to collect money and promote the cause. By helping more countries protect their citizens, we help bring down the prevalence of the virus overall and we help avoid more outbreaks which lead to new variants including those dubbed 'variants of concern".
Deputy Chris Blin continued:
"The generosity of the public and local organisations never fails to astound me.
I again would like to invite other individuals, groups and businesses to follow the example of The Ellen Jane Rihoy Trust and The Terrace Garden Café to help support the cause. Fundraisers can register their events on the dedicated Guernsey VaccinAid website or simply donate the proceeds they have raised. Anyone is also welcome to contact me directly at Chris.Blin@deputies.gov.gg if they wish to discuss their ideas on how they can raise funds or support."
Islanders who wish to support the campaign can make their donations and register their events at www.vaccinaid.org/guernsey . The money raised will be used by UNICEF, the only organisation present in all countries participating in COVAX and which has an established global supply chain network. COVAX is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
