On Sunday 23rd October, we will host a Charity Day to raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or ‘Doctors Without Borders’ is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation. They provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusions from healthcare. Since being founded in 1971 in Paris by doctors and journalists, MSF now has a worldwide movement of almost 63,000 people from 160 different countries, including healthcare professionals, logistic and administrative staff.
“MSF was created in the belief that all people should have access to healthcare regardless of gender, race, religion, creed or political affiliation, and that people’s medical needs outweigh respect for national boundaries. MSF’s principles of action are described in our charter, which established a framework for our activities.” – Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Helping people of Ukraine
Ukraine has been at the forefront of our thoughts, as for many around the world. In April this year, we were proud to host a charity day in aid of DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal which consisted of musical acts, face painting, craft stalls, tai chi and a circus. We raised a total of £4425.80 from the event, and we have continued to raise funds throughout the year from our garden ticket shed.
The war in Ukraine has raged for over six months, causing millions of people to flee their homes in a desperate attempt to escape death and injuries. Many people have lost their family members and are traumatised by the war, physically and/or emotionally.
MSF have responded to the war in Ukraine in various ways; delivering 800 metric tons of medical supplies and relief items, and provided hospital care on board two medical trains. Their efforts also stretched to other surrounding countries were they provided physiotherapy services, as well as mental and psychosocial support and much more. You can read the full extent of their efforts here.
Mariia, 79, who lives one block away from the mobile clinic in the village of Opytne, speaks with an MSF patient support manager. “I’ve been visiting the MSF clinic for a while now for treatment with my nerves and high blood pressure. Before my son’s death, I didn’t have such problems. But I enjoy coming here. The doctors talk and joke with me all the time. It feels like family here.” – Mariia, Ukraine
All donations for MSF pay for millions of consultations, surgeries, treatments and vaccinations every year. This is a non-profit organisation and the current statistics on where donations have been allocated are; 80.5% on fulling their social mission, 64.4 on their humanitarian programmes, 12.1% to support their projects and programmes, and 4% on awareness-raising. The rest is spent on general management and fundraising costs. They also maintain reserves that allow us to respond immediately to a crisis without having to wait for an appeal. The use of MSF funds is tightly controlled and the audited financial reports are publicly available
All proceeds made on garden tickets on Sunday 23rd October will go to the charity to help them continue their inspirational work. There will also be charity boxes in the shop, café and by the ticket shed so that you can donate if you wish.