Malaria beyond the statistics: Why Simon Fuller and Aloe Blacc are sharing their stories

Whether you’re off for some late summer sun, planning a gap year or going overseas on business, don’t underestimate the need to get protected from malaria before you travel.

Charity Malaria No More UK has launched a new digital campaign featuring Mozzy Air, a fictitious airline created to surprise, engage and inspire UK support to save lives. It’s been brought to life through an interactive map showing flight paths from the UK to  destinations susceptible to malaria outbreaks.

The map is also filled with human stories that go beyond the statistics and into the lives of people affected by malaria. There are personal stories from people from all walks of life, including businessman Shaun Ahern who mistook malaria for a hangover, Sky News anchor Lukwesa Burak who almost lost her own life and entire family to malaria, through to entertainment entrepreneur Simon Fuller whose father suffered from recurring malaria.

Fuller said: “My Dad was an RAF Pilot in WW2 and sadly contracted recurring malaria in Burma. He suffered his whole life but thanks to medicine lived to a ripe old age and became a teacher in Ghana, where I grew up. It was my job to spray the house with mosquito spray to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Some of my fondest memories are of my childhood in Ghana, I love that country – I have been back many times and am proud to support Malaria No More UK”.

Arabella Gilchrist, Communications Director for Malaria No More UK travelled to Ghana earlier this year with American soul singer Aloe Blacc to see the historic progress towards making sure every home has mosquito nets by the end of this year. Gilchrist said: “I’ve seen for myself the devastating impact of malaria. We are grateful to everyone who has shared their story so far, each one is a testimony to the human impact caused by malaria and inspires support for our cause. We hope the latest experiences shared through Mozzy Air will fuel further story submissions to help us raise vital awareness to save lives from malaria”.

Each story shares the devastating impact of malaria and inspires action, from simple practical steps including personal protection before travelling through to sharing a malaria story or virtually ‘checking in’ to a Mozzy Air flight via twitter using the hashtag #MozzyAir. Over two million people have been reached by Mozzy Air on Twitter since the month-long campaign launched for World Mosquito Day on 20^th August.

Malaria affects close to half of the world’s population, and last year, 1,677 Brits returned to the UK having contracted malaria abroad, leading to eight deaths. So, stay aware of malaria and watch out for those mosquitoes!

For more information visit Malarianomore.org.uk

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• marcus hobley

  Makes an interesting read, topical subject piece and a great
  cause the campaign is championing