Malaria No More UK: http://www.malarianomore.org.uk is this year proud to announce it is to be the sole charity associated with ITV’s flagship reality TV series, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, the first time the show will dedicate its support to just one charity.
Malaria is one of the world’s most serious, preventable health crises and threatens half the world’s population with pregnant women and children the most vulnerable. In Africa, malaria kills one child every 30 seconds killing more children under five than any other single disease.
But malaria is preventable and treatable. As the world’s largest gathering of malaria experts met in Kenya last week to discuss the latest breakthroughs in tackling malaria, they once again agreed, one of the most effective means of stopping suffering and death from malaria is to invest in preventative measures now.
Blanketing Africa with mosquito nets is one of the most simple and effective ways to help prevent the spread of malaria and it can yield life-saving results. For just £5 a bed net can be bought, transported and delivered to an African family protecting a mother and child or brother and sister against malaria for up to five years.
Malaria No More UK works to raise mass public interest and awareness to end malaria through the themes of sport and more recently fashion. The charity is supported by a host of British sports stars including David Beckham, Andy Murray and Denise Lewis who are the founding Members of the charity’s Leadership Council.
Malaria No More UK is committed to ending the suffering and death caused by malaria. It is a driving force behind the UN goals to cover every man, woman and child at risk with a mosquito net by the end of 2010 and to put an end to malaria deaths by 2015. The opportunity to partner with ITV’s flagship reality TV series will go a long way in helping to achieve the 2010 goal.
Fifteen pence from every 50p call from the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! phone vote lines will go towards bednet purchase distribution and use in Africa. As the British public decide the fate of the jungle VIPs – which celebrity will take on the dreaded Bushtucker Trials and who, ultimately, will win the coveted crown – they will also be helping save lives.
Sarah Kline, Executive Director of Malaria No More UK says: “Malaria No More UK is delighted to be partnering with ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!. We exist to help bring an end to malaria deaths by raising the profile of malaria and our ability to end this preventable disease. This partnership gives us an unprecedented opportunity to do so by reaching the millions of loyal I’m a Celebrity… viewers.”
Richard Curtis, co- founder and vice-Chair of Comic Relief says: "It's tremendous news that ITV's ‘I'm a Celebrity…’ is joining the fight against malaria. It's a huge issue - 800, 000 people still dying every year because of the bite of a mosquito - but it's an issue where every individual can really believe in the difference they are making - it costs just £5 to buy a net that can protect a whole family. The battle against malaria can be won, and the more money and publicity the cause gets, the sooner it will be won. "
Ray Chambers, UN Special Envoy for Malaria says: “"We face a critical moment in history as the international community comes together to try and reach the United Nations Secretary-General's goal of making sure everyone has access to a long-lasting insecticide treated bed net in Africa by the end of next year. We can save millions of lives through something as simple as a net. It is great news to hear that in the UK, the British public will be supporting this effort through I'm a Celebrity...”
Peter Fincham, ITV Director of Television, Channels and Online says: “I’m delighted that ITV and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! are able to support Malaria No More UK in this way. The series has always raised money for good causes but never for a single charity. This is a unique collaboration, and I hope that the funds raised will help Malaria No More UK towards their goal, which is to end malaria deaths by 2015.”
www.malarianomore.org.uk
Press Contact: Rebecca Ladbury, Malaria No More UK. E: Rebecca@ladburypr.com M: 07941 224 975
Notes to editors
All the money for Malaria No More UK raised from the show’s phone lines will go towards buying bednets to save lives. One £5 bednet will protect a mother and child for up to five years. Each call to those lines costs 50p from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may be higher and calls from mobiles will be considerably more. 15p from each call is to be donated to the charity. Upon completion of the series, and once phone revenue has been calculated, the charity monies will be distributed.
