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<\/p>\nTHE Cotton On Foundation will deliver up to one million COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable communities following a partnership with UNICEF.<\/p>\n
The foundation has been in contact with the United Nations Children\u2019s Emergency Fund since 2019, however the recent collaboration launched at the Geelong headquarters last week has been dubbed the first of its kind.<\/p>\n
Cotton On Group chief executive officer Peter Johnson said the foundation, combined with team members and customers, has been supporting remote communities since 2007 and has raised more than $120 million in the past for global causes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough our foundation\u2019s unique fundraising model, we have supported vulnerable communities for the past 13 years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe impact of this pandemic has been felt right across the world and we\u2019re proud to be part of the solution by helping communities get back on their feet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoping to pave the way for other major retail brands, 100 per cent of the profits made from Cotton On Foundation items over the next six weeks will be donated to the vaccination program.<\/p>\n
General manager at the Cotton On Foundation, Tim Diamond, said the vaccine program will ensure equity amongst some of the world\u2019s most vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe understand how much COVID-19 is affecting the communities we work in, schools have been shutting down a number of times throughout the year, cases are rising in East Africa and we are cautious about what we are seeing in India as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe aren\u2019t saying everyone should get vaccinated, but everyone should have the choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rollout will be made in partnership with COVAX, which is a joint project with the World Health Organisation that assists in delivering vaccinations to remote communities and villages.<\/p>\n
Mr Diamond said the execution of the roll-out will be up to UNICEF which vaccinates half of the world\u2019s children each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe logistical side of things is unbelievable, a cold vaccine needs to be delivered from where it is manufactured into the most remote places in the world, kept cold then issued and disposed of in the correct way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a huge logistical undertaking, and we rely on them to take that part, but we have this amazing fundraising mechanism that will lend a hand when there is a need.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have our own mission which is to provide education to children who need it most, but this focus is a six-week campaign, where we will get our global team involved and raise $3 million to provide one million vaccines.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Diamond said the program will have the benefits of allowing more places to get back to normal and allow borders and economies to open up.<\/p>\n
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The COVAX program will start with providing vaccines to frontline health workers, social works and teachers in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the ticket through to returning to normal and we are proud to be involved,\u201d Mr Diamond said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe won\u2019t be able to do it ourselves, so we are super pumped to be able to connect with UNICEF.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing back to communities and schools we are involved in, there is a need and want for vaccines, they want to be able to get over this pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Diamond said the foundation wanted to lead the way so other corporations and businesses will look for ways to assist in the global crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are conscious there is a lot of work ahead of us to deliver the vaccines, but we are proud to be able to do this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a huge global effort, and a lot of organisations need to chip in and support our vulnerable communities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Cotton On Foundation will deliver up to one million COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable communities following a partnership with UNICEF. The foundation has been in contact with the United Nations Children\u2019s Emergency Fund since 2019, however the recent collaboration launched at the Geelong headquarters last week has been dubbed the first of its kind. Cotton […]<\/p>\n