Vital PPE supplies for Africa

More than 25 million items of personal protective equipment (PPE) are to be donated to Africa to aid the pandemic response. The equipment, worth £11.2 million, will be distributed by Kids Operating Room (KidsOR), a Scottish-based global health charity.

25 shipping containers of equipment, including masks, visors, and goggles, will be sent to Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia. The items are due to arrive later this month.

KidsOR raised £1 million to support the transport of the PPE. This total includes £100,000 raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery, and funds from the Wood Foundation, Pula Limited, and Delta Philanthropies. The Scottish Government has also donated £250,000 towards transportation costs.

Co-founder of KidsOR Garreth Wood said: "I would like to thank our donors for stepping up to help support the distribution of so many millions of items of PPE that will prove vital for countries in Africa battling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."

Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: "Funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery is supporting good causes around the world to address COVID-19 issues. Distributed by Postcode Innovation Trust, this money will support KidsOR to get PPE equipment on the ground, to protect healthcare workers in East Africa."