Health and Healthcare Systems

These people are raising millions for charity - on coronavirus lockdown

A rainbow sign thanking the NHS is seen in Hertford as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hertford, Britain, April 3, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge - RC21XF9J9FCK

Many of the campaigns in the UK are going towards the country's National Health Service and its charities. Image: REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

Charlotte Edmond
Senior Writer, Forum Agenda
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  • British war veteran Captain Tom Moore has raised more than $15 million from his garden to support coronavirus efforts.
  • Another campaign to go viral is the Instagram-based Run 5 Donate 5 Nominate 5, with several high-profile names coming on board.
  • Being limited to home isn’t stopping people from raising cash - former Wales rugby captain Ryan Jones ran a marathon in his garden.

Raising more than $15 million for charity is an incredible feat at any time - but doing so without leaving home is something else.

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The coronavirus pandemic has put on hold many key moments in the fundraising calendar, including marathons and other sporting events. But this hasn’t stopped some raising massive amounts for charities, while still observing self-isolation rules.

Here are a selection of charitable achievements from around the world.

100 laps before 100

Coronavirus fundraising participation charity giving  china virus health healthcare who world health organization disease deaths pandemic epidemic worries concerns Health virus contagious contagion viruses diseases disease lab laboratory doctor health dr nurse medical medicine drugs vaccines vaccinations inoculations technology testing test medicinal biotechnology biotech biology chemistry physics microscope research influenza flu cold common cold bug risk symptomes respiratory china iran italy europe asia america south america north washing hands wash hands coughs sneezes spread spreading precaution precautions health warning covid 19 cov SARS 2019ncov wuhan sarscow wuhanpneumonia  pneumonia outbreak patients unhealthy fatality mortality elderly old elder age serious death deathly deadly
Captain Tom Moore is walking 100 laps of his garden before he turns 100. Image: Metro

The 99-year-old World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore wanted to raise funds for NHS Charities Together, a UK-based charity supporting the work of the National Health Service, by walking 100 laps of his 25m long garden before his 100th birthday. He quickly broke through his original target of £1,000 ($1,200), and thanks to media coverage has now raised more than £14 million with donations from more than 64,000 people.

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Strengthening intensive care

Coronavirus fundraising participation charity giving  china virus health healthcare who world health organization disease deaths pandemic epidemic worries concerns Health virus contagious contagion viruses diseases disease lab laboratory doctor health dr nurse medical medicine drugs vaccines vaccinations inoculations technology testing test medicinal biotechnology biotech biology chemistry physics microscope research influenza flu cold common cold bug risk symptomes respiratory china iran italy europe asia america south america north washing hands wash hands coughs sneezes spread spreading precaution precautions health warning covid 19 cov SARS 2019ncov wuhan sarscow wuhanpneumonia  pneumonia outbreak patients unhealthy fatality mortality elderly old elder age serious death deathly deadly
This campaign goes towards providing intensive care beds in Italy. Image: Go fund me

Italian social media stars have rallied to raise money to triple the number of intensive care beds at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. Chiara Ferragni and Fedez organized the Coronavirus, rafforziamo la terapia intensiva and have already topped their target of €4 million ($4.3 million), with more than 200,000 people donating so far.

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A million masks

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Another fundraiser on the GoFundMe platform is A Million Masks - organized by three New York City residents to raise money to buy emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline hospital workers in the city.

A garden marathon

Coronavirus fundraising participation charity giving  china virus health healthcare who world health organization disease deaths pandemic epidemic worries concerns Health virus contagious contagion viruses diseases disease lab laboratory doctor health dr nurse medical medicine drugs vaccines vaccinations inoculations technology testing test medicinal biotechnology biotech biology chemistry physics microscope research influenza flu cold common cold bug risk symptomes respiratory china iran italy europe asia america south america north washing hands wash hands coughs sneezes spread spreading precaution precautions health warning covid 19 cov SARS 2019ncov wuhan sarscow wuhanpneumonia  pneumonia outbreak patients unhealthy fatality mortality elderly old elder age serious death deathly deadly
Ryan Jones completed a marathon in his garden in 4 hours 43 minutes. Image: @RyanJonesOnline

Former Wales rugby captain Ryan Jones ran a marathon in his garden to raise money for Swansea Bay University LHB Charitable Fund to help buy extra resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 700 laps later, he broke his original target of £500 ($615) by some margin, raising more than £8,000 ($9,900) for his local hospital.

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Run 5, give 5

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The ‘Run 5 Donate 5 Nominate 5’ challenge is another that has massively surpassed fundraising expectations. The Instagram-based challenge calls on people around the world to run 5k, then donate £5 ($6) and nominate five others to do the same. It has won the support of a number of celebrities including long-distance runner Mo Farah and singer Ellie Goulding. The aim is now to raise £3.5 million ($4.3m) for NHS Charities Together.

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Keeping connected

Coronavirus fundraising participation charity giving  china virus health healthcare who world health organization disease deaths pandemic epidemic worries concerns Health virus contagious contagion viruses diseases disease lab laboratory doctor health dr nurse medical medicine drugs vaccines vaccinations inoculations technology testing test medicinal biotechnology biotech biology chemistry physics microscope research influenza flu cold common cold bug risk symptomes respiratory china iran italy europe asia america south america north washing hands wash hands coughs sneezes spread spreading precaution precautions health warning covid 19 cov SARS 2019ncov wuhan sarscow wuhanpneumonia  pneumonia outbreak patients unhealthy fatality mortality elderly old elder age serious death deathly deadly
Dr Steve Hefler contracted the virus but can still stay in touch with his family. Image: Go fund me

A San Diego-based family is on a mission to raise $100,000 to supply intensive care beds with phone chargers so that people in isolation are still able to talk to their loved ones. Paediatrician Dr Steve Hefler was hospitalized and quarantined with coronavirus, and his family became unable to contact him after his phone battery ran out of charge. His family want to ensure others are able to stay in touch at this crucial time.

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