2012 Riders for Health
Supporters of Riders for Health have raised a fantastic $509,000 (£317,385) to support the organization’s work with its summer appeal. Now, as part of the UK government’s Aid Match program this has been doubled to over $1 million (£634,770).
Much of the support came from motorcyclists from across the UK and Riders for Health were partnered in the appeal by its media partner MCN, and by MotoGP, who helped to promote the campaign to millions of people.
The money raised in the appeal will help Riders ensure that more health workers in Africa have the reliable transport they need to deliver health care to everyone who needs it, no matter where they live. The matched funding as part of UK Aid Match will specifically help support program in Zambia and Kenya.
People living in rural communities in Africa are often too far from clinics, with no access to public or private transport. But with a reliable motorcycle, which has been well maintained so it never breaks down, a health worker can deliver medicines and vaccines to people in even the most remote villages, keeping people healthy.
The appeal was launched at Day of Champions in June by British motorcycle racing star Cal Crutchlow. At this annual event, the motorcycling community came together to support Riders. Crutchlow encouraged everyone to donate by texting a message to help raise funds for Riders. Cal also joined several of the other leading MotoGP riders in appearing in a special video which was shown at the circuit throughout the weekend and which has been seen by thousands of people online.
Other highlights of the appeal included, the Riders for Health hero competition, where supporters were encouraged to raise funds for Riders with the chance to win exclusive passes to the 2013 British MotoGP at Silverstone, a special MCN award and feature in the newspaper. Stuart Gunn became the Riders for Health hero for raising a fantastic £1,000.
An online auction raised nearly £10,000 and featured a Yamaha R1 ridden by Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland. Other items included signed MotoGP memorabilia and a Sky Sports Speedway and IndyCar experience.
Justine Greening (Secretary of State for International Development) says: “By matching pound for pound all public donations, UK taxpayers through DFID have helped Riders for Health double its fundraising total and increase its impact in providing isolated rural communities in Africa with crucial health services.
“Riders for Health ensures that front line health workers in Africa can reach people in often remote and otherwise inaccessible areas who would otherwise not be able to access healthcare. When equipped with a properly used and maintained motorcycle, a health worker can reach more than five times as many people and provide them with essential medicines and vaccines.”
Andrea Coleman (CEO of Riders for Health) says: “I would like to thank everyone who has made this appeal such a huge success; those who raised funds, made donations and, of course, all our volunteers and partners. It has been a tremendous, collaborative event. The Department for International Development recognized in Riders an organization that has created a solution for one of the most neglected but vital aspects of development – reliable transport for delivering health care in rural Africa.
“We are grateful for this recognition. Transport to reach the poorest in Africa is so often overlooked, but the money raised in this appeal means that we can ensure that even health workers in Africa will now have reliable transport to reach everyone in every community with the health care they so desperately need.”
For additional information, log onto Riders for Health.
