The CEO and co-founder of Two Wheels for Life has urged people to consider setting up a ‘small monthly donation’ to assist the organisation ahead of what she believes could be an unprecedented disaster now coronavirus is spreading in Africa.
Two Wheels for Life and Riders for Health are non-profit organisations which provide healthcare to rural African villages using motorcycles and motorcycle ambulances through door-to-door means.
The organisation was set up to help in the spread of AIDS but now faces a new challenge with the arrival of the COVID-19 coronavirus, which began in Asia before spreading quickly across Europe and now the United States.
While Africa’s relative isolated areas means the spread hasn’t been so rife to date, it is now beginning to accelerate. Referencing the recent flare up of the Ebola virus, there are serious concerns it will be harder to contain and treat in these areas.
In a letter posted to the MotoGP website, Andrea Coleman has urged fans to consider donations to assist with the impending fight.
Dear Supporters,
We hope that you and your families are safe and well.
We want to let you know, frankly, how the coronavirus is affecting our organisation. As you know this has hit our sport hard and this creates a real challenge for us, as MotoGP™ is our main source of income.
We MUST continue our work, particularly now that Coronavirus has now been found in African countries.
If you haven’t already, we ask you to consider setting up even a small monthly donation so we can continue to support the delivery of health services where they are desperately needed – now more than ever.
This disaster is likely to be exacerbated by lack of transport for medical care and supplies. We think that, as in the case of Ebola, motorcycle transport will be essential for making sure medical centres are stocked with necessary drugs and that test results can be returned quickly for diagnosis and to prevent the spread of the virus.
We are keeping in touch, daily, with the Riders for Health programmes we support so we can respond quickly to their urgent and changing needs.
As soon as the MotoGP™ season resumes, we will offer you the same unique experiences and memorabilia as ever, and work closely with Dorna and the MotoGP™ family to raise vital funds.
Thank you for your support and generosity at a time when you are also facing great challenges.
Wishing you all, and the world, the best of health.
