Who’s going to win? Not COVID19, no way!

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples". (Mother Teresa)

Let's join forces to make a difference and together act globally now. COVID19 is faster than we are, but can we be faster and stronger? My dream is to get this fundraise go viral so we can beat the beast of COVID19! Together we can! Oceans are made of drops, so I would love you to do two simple things: 1) stay at home for your own and others safety; 2) support this fundraise.

Your donation will help support the humanitarian response to disasters like the current global coronavirus outbreak, to which the British Red Cross Society has recently pledged £200,000 from their Disaster Fund (https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund) supporting the international response of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Donations will be used where needed globally to support ongoing activities in the worst affected countries such as transporting coronavirus patients to hospitals or providing psychosocial support to people in quarantine.

By using Just Giving’s platform, your donation will go directly to the British Red Cross Society’s account (so those UK based can contribute more through Gift Aid) who will then send the funds to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Geneva for global use (https://www.icrc.org/en/who-we-are/movement).

Please circulate this fundraise to your families, friends, colleagues, neighbours, ...and to ALL your contacts on social media, so together we can reach out to hundreds of thousands of people whom I’m sure can easily donate 15 quid or 15 bucks for each family member (don't worry - more is also very welcome). It’s less than a lunch or dinner at a restaurant with our families or friends. You are more than welcome to donate larger amounts …there is no upper limit. ;-)

Don’t forget, we must be fast. Don't postpone your donation. Wherever you are, act now by donating and circulating this fundraise. If you happen to know well a “social media influencer”, please ask her/him if she/he would be so kind to promote this fundraise. I will set different targets, and each time a new target is met I will raise it to the next level. Targets are: £1; £10; £100; £1,000; £10,000; £100,000.

I’ve just donated £80.8 plus 25% via Gift Aid for a total of £101 (a pizza dinner out for 4 which most of us are saving because of the quarantine), so we’ve hit the first 3 targets, please help in reaching the highest target. If we all support now, I am sure we will go far beyond the target.

My thoughts and prayers are particularly with those whose loved ones are vulnerable or ill or alone, those who are ill themselves, or who are unable to earn, as well as with those, who I also thank profoundly, fighting on the frontline: doctors, paramedics, nurses, ambulance drivers, hospital cleaners, and volunteers.

To all of you, your families and friends, and especially to all those working on the frontline I dedicate Verdi’s “Va pensiero” from the Nabucco sang by the International Opera Choir in Rome to thank Italy’s health service (each singing from their homes when the lockdown started in Italy weeks ago) https://youtu.be/VubAWDQ3gco.

"How Italy's big businesses and fashion houses are helping in the country's fight against the Coronavirus pandemic"(https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/coronavirus-made-in-italy-to-the-rescue.html)

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to The British Red Cross Society, so it's the most efficient way to give - saving time and cutting costs for the charity. Your donation is very precious!

Stay safe and a BIG thank you!

Paolo

P.S.: Useful links & tips for you and your country:

1) Open Source Respirator and Low Cost Ventilator Efforts to Fight Coronavirus (COVID-19) thanks go to Braden Kelley (London Business School Alumnus)

2) New Idea from South Korea to Reduce Demand for Coronavirus Protective Gear thanks go to Braden Kelley (London Business School Alumnus)

3) Antidotes to Fear: Gratitude and Purpose thanks go to Davide Pagnotta (London Business School Alumnus)