SUPPORTING SERVICES AND CHARITIES THROUGH CHALLENGING TIMES

As COVID-19 continues to impact on our daily lives, it is important that we all take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and others.

The work of the Shrewsbury charity committee in recent days has also ensured that important work, including that of front line medical services, can continue throughout this challenging period, and that the collective generousity of the Shrewsbury community continues to make a real and meaningful impact in the wider community too.

The Committee has allocated 150,000 THB to support the purchase of  200 protective suits, 100 pairs of protective shoes, and 100 medical-grade masks for nine hospitals Bangkok and across Thailand. 20,000 THB has also been given to buy protective masks for rural clinics and emergency services who are combating a different kind of threat in the form of wildfires in national parks.

Perhaps most impressively, and characteristically for Shrewsbury, staff are offering their most valuable resources - time and expertise. Using materials funded by the Charity Committee, staff and other members of the community, Khun Pui, our wonderful Design Technician, has designed and manufactured face shields for hospital workers in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, we also recognise the challenges now facing charitable organisations, including our own charity partners, whose access to funding and other forms of support are also under pressure at this time. To this end, 50,000 THB has been allocated to Thailand SOS to keep their charity operational in a period when they cannot collect surplus food from organisations such as ours.

These actions would simply not be possible without your ongoing support. There is of course, much work to do and challenging times ahead. The Charity Committee will be working hard over the coming weeks and months to ensure that your generosity continues to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. On behalf of the charity committee, thank you, and stay safe.