Chinese Association of Southampton COVID-19 fundraising poster

Orange poster in English and Chinese from the Chinese Association of Southampton and University of Southampton Students raising money for healthcare workers in China, featuring a graphic of a healthcare worker in PPE and donation information, reading ‘Fight with the First-line Medical Staff, Fund Raising Campaign, Chinese Association of Southampton and University of Southampton Students, All donations will be used to purchase medical supplies and donate to hospital in China fighting the new coronavirus epidemic’

Over £10,000 was raised in this fundraising campaign organised by the Chinese Association of Southampton and University of Southampton students. It was reported in early 2020 that healthcare workers and hospitals in the areas of China most affected by COVID-19 were facing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies. In February 2020, this fundraising campaign began and by 4 March 2020, they had raised enough money to donate much needed equipment to hospitals in Xinyang City, China.

The UK went into its own COVID-19 lockdown in mid-March 2020 and that point there was also increasing need for PPE and supplies for healthcare workers and hospitals in the UK. Money remaining from this fundraising campaign was then used by the Chinese Association of Southampton to donate thousands of face coverings to hospitals and care homes in and around Southampton.

The Chinese Association of Southampton was formed in 1999. It aims to support Southampton’s Chinese community and to promote Chinese art, culture, and traditions.