Triple charity donation

UAP has helped provide support to those living with the effects of encephalitis and to further research into diagnosis and treatment with a triple charity donation initiative.

The company’s CEO David Jennings was appointed vice president of the Encephalitis Society in January. He is passionate about research into treatments and prevention for the condition, which is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or a faulty immune response. He is also keen to help those living with the condition, having lost his own brother, Phillip, to encephalitis aged 17 in 1975.

The company has contributed to a travel bursary to help medical professionals from low-to-middle income countries attend the Encephalitis Conference in London in December, hosted by The Royal College of Physicians, so that they can benefit from knowledge sharing and the latest insights and research into the condition. UAP has also contributed to seed funding to help researchers in developing countries to further their programmes in the field.

Closer to home, UAP has also co-funded a respite weekend for children living with encephalitis and their families in the Peak District. The first ‘in person’ event held by the Encephalitis Society since the beginning of the pandemic, the action-packed weekend included zip wires, archery, raft building, orienteering, abseiling, and a singalong with a storytelling folk singer, along with focus groups to discuss topics as diverse as coping at school and how the Encephalitis Society can improve its outreach work.

David Jennings said: “From raising money to help build schools in Nepal to donating PPE supplies to local faith groups and community services during the pandemic, charity initiatives are embedded in our culture at UAP.

“I have very personal reasons to want to help those working towards encephalitis prevention, treatment and support for people living with the condition, but the whole UAP team has got behind the fundraising initiative and I am proud that we have been able to contribute for those involved with the Encephalitis Society in the UK and around the world.”

Dr Ava Easton, chief executive at the Encephalitis Society said: “Bringing people together, whether for respite on a residential weekend or for learning at our annual conference, is a very important part of what we do. The financial support that UAP has provided this year is so valuable to so many people; those living with the condition and working to improve outcomes now, and in the future. We’d like to thank David and UAP for their support.”