News / Hero of the Week Zencargo meets the challenge of bringing in PPE

Zencargo is this week’s Loadstar Hero of the Week, for its work on bringing essential personal protective equipment (PPE) to National Health Service workers.

Working with crowdfunding campaign Masks for NHS Heroes, it helped source and deliver an initial order of 100,000 medical-grade protective eye-shields from accredited manufacturers in China.

The campaign, set up by doctors, has so far raised $1.9m, including a £250,000 donation from actor James McAvoy.

Zencargo said exporting medical equipment from China was a challenge at the moment.

“The procurement of PPE has become especially challenging in recent weeks due to an unprecedented global demand. This has been exacerbated by lockdowns in India, a major producer of PPE, and strict quality control processes recently implemented in China, aimed at preventing the export of non-medical grade equipment.

“Working directly with teams on the ground in China, including the British Consulate, Zencargo was able to rapidly arrange key customs clearances and quality control assurances, in addition to securing exemptions from duties, in order to ensure the fastest UK delivery possible.

“Due to severe shortages of air freight capacity, the goods needed to be transported on three different flights from China to London.”

The equipment will be distributed around the UK by DHL, also free of charge.

Zencargo chief executive Alex Hersham said: “In this uncertain time, supply chains are more important than ever, especially when it comes to those risking their health on the front line in the fight against this disease.

“As we move forward, it’s incumbent on logistics and supply chain businesses to use their skills and networks to open doors for these essential goods and do what they can to keep people safe.”

The campaign continues, and you can donate to the Masks for NHS Heroes fundraiser here and make a difference today.