Although we have been inclined to avoid talking about Covid-19 too much, and have focused on the positive elements of businesses and talent alike – we cannot ignore the incredible effort that is going on amongst global and smaller brands. We want to acknowledge those businesses who have turned their resource and factories around to support the battle against the spread.
Mercedes F1.
The Mercedes F1 team have focused their efforts in helping build new UK breathing aids for Covid-19 patients – building a device in 10 days that will help avoid the need for full ventilation. The breathing aid was designed to keep patients out of intensive care has now been delivered to London hospitals for clinical trials. Engineers from UCL and doctors for UCLH developed the device with Mercedes in less than 100 hours from their first meeting to the first production model. The device has been approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Burberry
Burberry is funding research into a single-dose vaccine developed by the University of Oxford – the university is already on course to begin human trials next month and a world leader in emergency vaccine development with past success in fighting Ebola and MERS.
The brand is also using a global supply chain network to fast track the delivery of 100,000 surgical masks to the UK National Health Service for use by medical staff. Burberry is also admirably repurposing the trench coat factory in Castleford, Yorkshire to make non-surgical gowns and masks for patients in UK hospitals.
Chanel
Chanel has announced that it is working to produce protective face masks and blouses for use across France. The fashion house is also donating 1.2 million for French emergency services and Parisian hospital system, and 50,000 masks for police officers, firefighters, and officials who visit hospitals
LVMH
The French house that owns Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy (to name a few) has converted its perfume and cosmetic factories into producing hand sanitizer for French authorities and public hospitals. Chanel has also ordered 40 million masks from China to distribute to the country’s healthcare systems.
Sainsbury's and WHSmith
Sainsbury’s and WHSmith have partnered together and announced that they will stock an extended reach of Sainsbury's grocery products to support the needs of NHS staff and make it easier for them to buy food and essential items. NHS staff will receive 20% off all products in WHSmith hospital stores including Sainsbury's items, and with more than 90 additional Sainsbury's products available it will make it a little bit easier for NHS workers to access the products they need.
Dyson
Dyson’s leading engineers have designed the new ventilator the ‘CoVent’ in the past few days, which it will be producing in order to help treat coronavirus patients. ‘CoVent’ is a bed-mounted and portable ventilator, with the option to run on battery power should the need arise. The company developed the ventilators in the past 10 days based on Dyson's existing digital motor technology – and the UK Government has ordered 10,000 ventilators for the NHS.
Other companies who have joined and made such an incredible contribution to the fight against the pandemic include Tiffany & Co, The British Fashion Council, Pretty Little Thing, Gucci, Estee Lauder, Mac Cosmetics, Hearst, Prada, Kering, Johnston and Johnston, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Jaguar Landrover, Tods, Wrangler, H&M, COS, Nordstorm, Canada Goose, Sandro, Armani.
We applaud you all! And are so thankful for your continued support for the fight against the pandemic. Nominate yours below!
