DWS donates more than GBP 370,000 to UK-based COVID-19 research effort and relief
Earlier this year DWS announced it would donate EUR 1 million (GBP 905,000) to charitable organisations in countries around the world where DWS is active, and which have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. In order to show commitment as a firm and to achieve the greatest possible impact, DWS also encouraged employees to make their own donations to these organisations.
Nominated by DWS employees, GBP 370,000 (EUR 400,000) of this total has now been donated to three UK-based charities that provide services for socially disadvantaged people – especially the homeless and children, and a UK-based social enterprise to support research efforts to combat COVID-19 as well as other global epidemics and disease.
“The Akshaya Patra Foundation UK” strives to tackle the issues of hunger, malnutrition and education by providing freshly cooked and nourishing meals to children in India and the UK. With the help of DWS, 170,000 meals and 5,250 dry grocery kits were distributed to vulnerable families, providing a total of 390,500 meals since the pandemic lockdown in India.
“The Whitechapel Mission” serves those caught in the cycles of poverty, homelessness and dependencies of many kinds. DWS’s donation was used to meet the increased costs for food in this crisis period – driven by increased numbers of homeless people visiting the centre, and the provision of packed lunches, which have become scarce in this period. The donation also helped to cover the cost of additional cleaning, and the recruitment of two further employees, on a temporary basis, to ensure that The Whitechapel Mission was adequately resourced.
“Feeding Britain” advocates for systemic change to eliminate hunger in the UK. DWS’s donation was used to convert a double decker bus to provide good quality, affordable, fresh food to communities in areas of high deprivation in the London Borough of Wandsworth, and to provide 3,000 hot meals and food packages for 50,000 meals as an emergency COVID-19 aid in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The Wandsworth Community Food Bus will provide enough food for at least 75,000 meals a year and will include a social supermarket where people can purchase good quality nutritious food at low cost, a community café and a space for community advice.
DWS is also helping to fund “The Global Health Research Accelerator”, a social enterprise launched by The Global Health Network and the University of Oxford. They have been working with frontline medical professionals in Africa, Asia and Latin America for over 10 years to help set up and conduct of critical research in tackling and preventing epidemics and diseases affecting impoverished communities. On site programmes are conducted with local partners and all research resources are made available online. These include training, tools, templates and guidelines that enable healthcare professionals in the poorest regions of the world to conduct research to international standards.
Claire Peel, Regional Head of EMEA at DWS: “It is an honour to be able to help such worthy causes that directly impact the vulnerable here in the UK. It is our duty to step in and show support where we can and in a way that directly reaches those in need, especially in these times. We hope that these donations will help alleviate the unprecedented impact COVID-19 is having on the most vulnerable, and will help towards supporting health research around the world.”
These donations also mark the launch of a new comprehensive CSR programme at DWS.
For further information please contact:
Nick Bone
+44 (0) 207 547 2603
nick.bone@dws.com
Simone Brandes
+49 (0) 69 / 910 34799
simone.brandes@dws.com
About DWS Group
DWS Group (DWS) is one of the world's leading asset managers with EUR 745bn of assets under management (as of 30 June 2020). Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.
We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major asset classes and solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground-knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, which guides our investment approach strategically.
DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing: with approximately 3,500 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investors – entrusted to build the best foundation for our clients’ future.