Burberry supports vulnerable communities through donation to UNICEF's Covid-19 vaccines appeal

The undisclosed donation from Burberry and the Burberry Foundation Covid-19 Community Fund will go towards the transportation, storage and safe administration of Covid-19 vaccine doses in low income countries.

UNICEF is the world’s largest vaccine buyer and already vaccinates almost half the world’s children against preventable diseases. Through the Global COVAX Facility, UNICEF is working on the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in modern history.

The charity is collaborating with manufacturers and partners, aiming to make available two billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines across 190 countries by the end of the year.

Marco Gobbetti, CEO of Burberry, said: “We believe everybody should have equal access to the Covid-19 vaccine.

UNICEF’s Covid-19 Vaccines Appeal is helping provide it, protecting families and communities from the devastating impacts of the virus. We are proud to continue our support for the relief efforts by helping UNICEF in their mission to provide vital resources for vulnerable communities around the world.”

Steven Waugh, executive director of the UK Committee for UNICEF, added: “Burberry’s support of UNICEF’s Covid-19 Vaccines Appeal is critical to help ensure rapid and equitable access of Covid-19 vaccines – irrespective of a country’s wealth.

"By supporting UNICEF, Burberry is helping the overall effort to procure and deliver two billion life-saving vaccines to all 190 countries participating in the COVAX Facility, including those already facing humanitarian challenges.

"Together, we can deliver the world’s largest vaccination campaign, in record time, and build a brighter future for the world’s children.”

The Burberry Foundation Covid-19 Community Fund was set up as a global emergency relief appeal in April 2020.

Contributions from Burberry colleagues, partners, customers and suppliers have been directed to support relief efforts globally, including the procurement and distribution of emergency PPE, donating to food banks and providing essential healthcare and social services to those most vulnerable around the world.

Burberry has also leveraged its global supply chain over the past year, manufacturing and sourcing more than 160,000 pieces of PPE that it donated to the NHS and healthcare charities.

In addition, it provided funding to support the development of the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccine and donated to charities dedicated to tackling food poverty to help meet the most immediate medical and community needs.

Burberry has given huge credit to its Yorkshire staff who volunteered to make PPE to help out the NHS during the pandemic.

The luxury fashion brand said hundreds of thousands of PPE items have been donated thanks to the swift and selfless action of its Castleford employees.