The University of Liverpool this week took delivery of nearly 12,000 items of PPE equipment, the result of a hugely successful and co-ordinated effort between the University, local Chinese community organisations in Liverpool and the North West, and city partners, including Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool China Partnership.
The University launched its COVID-19 Emergency Response Campaign at the end of March. Following a direct appeal by Christina Turner, Director of Development and Alumni Relations to Liverpool's Chinese community, 11,500 face masks have been sent from friends in the Chinese community, all at no cost to the University. Acknowledging receipt of the items, Christina, said: "The response to our COVID-19 Campaign has been extraordinary. We are humbled by the generosity of our Chinese friends."
Friendship, kindness and partnership
Liverpool and nearby Chinese Communities Fundraising For Anti-Coronavirus Committee have rallied to get the equipment to the UK, negotiating with contacts in China and Hong Kong to procure the equipment. Brilliant Education Expert Ltd helped with coordination and donated part of the fee towards the transportation of the shipment. PPE equipment received this week will be distributed to NHS Partners in the Liverpool City Region to benefit front-line health professionals involved in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
We would like to thank the following organisations who have generously lent their support to the campaign:
• Che Kung Tong Chinese Freemasons UK
• See Yep (UK) Association
• Liverpool Chinese Business Association
• Wah Sing Chinese Community Centre
• Pagoda Chinese Youth and Community Centre
• Hoi Yin Chinese Association
• Tap Mun Chinese Association
• Wirral Chinese Association
• North East Wales Chinese Women's Association
• Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association.
Gary Millar, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool and President of Liverpool China Partnership, said: "This is friendship, kindness and partnership at its very best. Europe's oldest Chinese community answered the University of Liverpool's call for essential protective equipment and 10 wonderful local Chinese community organisations used their connections in China to source and supply this much needed equipment – and then donated it free of charge! We would like to thank our Chinese friends in Liverpool, the City Region and in North East Wales for their resourcefulness and generosity."
'Tremendous effort'
Paul Kallee-Grover, Chair of the Liverpool China Partnership, said: "From the outset of the Covid-19 crisis our directors and partners have worked together to bring our collective support to our friends in China when they needed our assistance in sourcing medical supplies. It is therefore heart-warming to have had our friends in China reaching back to help us in our time of need."
Kallee-Grover went on to add, "Our partnership does not just bring together the public, private and higher education sectors to promote trade between China and the Liverpool City Region, it goes much deeper, we have forged genuine and lasting friendships as demonstrated through the most generous and welcome gift of 11,500 respirator masks having been sent to the University of Liverpool for distribution. The tremendous effort our Chinese community organisations have shown in donating equipment and arranging transport are very much appreciated."
To find out more about the University's COVID-19 Campaign and how you can support it please visit our campaign page
