Ambulances to The Gambia

We are both police volunteers (Special Inspectors) with North Wales Police and are members of the International Police Association (IPA). We have been selected by the Emergency Services Aid Charity (ESAC) and the IPA to travel from the UK, via France and Spain through the North West of the African continent, all the way to the capital of The Gambia, Banjul, to deliver ambulances, fire engines, fire and rescue equipment, and vital medical equipment and supplies to the communities of The Gambia. This will be happening in September 2022.

The ESAC intends to provide functioning emergency vehicles, radios, equipment, supplies, training, and uniforms to communities that need help. To help this emerging but impoverished nation on the west coast of Africa, September 2022 is the turn of The Gambia. This mission is called Op ZEPHYR.

We have decided to help end the suffering and unnecessary deaths caused by the absence of any form of ambulance service or fire and rescue service in The Gambia. We are absolutely resolved to do something about it.

The levels of infant mortality in The Gambia, the 7th highest globally, are unacceptably high and are ranked among the highest in Africa. UNICEF state that, on average, over 1 in 20 children between one month and five years of age die, and 1 in 5 newborns will die within the first 4 weeks of life. These figures are even higher in rural areas. The manner of those deaths for mother and child do not bear thinking about.

Additionally, the number of deaths and amputations due to late presentation of infected fractures and other wounds is unbelievably high. Amputations are unfortunately common and are even deemed “convenient” as travel for aftercare in hospital is impossible for complicated injuries due to the lack of suitable transport.

We are writing hoping that you and your organisation would be willing to donate to help us raise the £5000 required to help fund this much-needed convoy. You could help by offering corporate sponsorship to the charity, whether for one ambulance (£10,000 each ambulance to purchase and transport), or even the whole fleet! Perhaps you could help with our fuel costs by providing a company fuel card or providing much-needed equipment, tools or supplies for the convoy to use or hand over. Everything we take with us will be left with the Gambian Emergency responders to help them with their challenging tasks.

I hope you can help us, either as individuals, by donating toward our personal £5000 (we have already received £2000 through Just Giving so please help us complete the final stretch!)  goal, by providing us with personal kit and equipment, or by providing the broader charity with funds, equipment, or supplies. Publicity is assured nationally for a major sponsor.

Sincerely

Darren and Dan

Check out our Instagram here: Our Instagram 

And ESAC's Instagram here: ESAC Instagram 

Watch Fatou's video here. I hope you can help us to help her community.