Corona is still a global health crisis – and it is far from over.

This is what the organization Doctors Without Borders experiences. Daily, the staff sees significant negative consequences for people's health and the development of entire nations when doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel work in the world's hotspots.

This is stated by Kristina Boldt, who is the fundraising director at Doctors Without Borders in Denmark.

Therefore, every single one of the 100,000 kroner that ”Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit and Kjeld” donates to Doctors Without Borders' global work to curb the spread of corona is needed.

– In Denmark, we have access to testing equipment, treatment, and vaccines, but the situation is far from the same globally. This is particularly true for the percentage of vaccinated individuals in low-income countries, which is much lower than in Europe and the wealthier parts of the world. Large parts of the world's population have not even received the first dose and have no prospect of it. While nearly 70 percent in high-income countries are fully vaccinated, this is only the case for 3.5 percent in low-income countries. Therefore, there is still a need for extensive efforts to keep the infection down and protect the most vulnerable and the healthcare personnel who need to help them, says Kristina Boldt.

– The pandemic has worsened other humanitarian crises and affected the ability to receive medical assistance in many parts of the world.

”HOLIDAY WITH A GOOD HEART” – THE PROFITS BENEFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, NOT CAPITAL FUNDS
It is unique in the Danish tourism industry that the vast majority of the profits from Sol og Strand's rental of summer houses and holiday homes over a few years are converted into support for charitable and local causes. Instead of ending up in foreign capital funds and money tanks.

The chairman of the fund's board, Jens Stadum, is pleased that both homeowners, holiday guests, and employees have contributed input to the process – and that the fund can now distribute one million kroner to charitable purposes for the second year in a row:

– We can see from the applications – and from the feedback we receive from last year's recipients of donations from ”Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit and Kjeld” – that the money makes an important difference for many of the people who are struggling and facing challenges. And this applies both in Denmark and outside Danish borders. There is a real need for money, says the chairman.

– We can say with a clear conscience that you contribute to doing something good for others when you take a holiday through Sol og Strand. This is what we call ”Holiday with a good heart,” says Jens Stadum.

– We have already decided that we will open for applications for the next distribution pool after the summer of 2022, so that next year in December we can also allocate 1 million kroner to good causes. Our expectation is that from 2023 we can distribute even larger amounts from the fund. Just like this year, the plan going forward is to gather input from homeowners, holiday guests, and employees at Sol og Strand when we open for applications for the next distributions, says Jens Stadum.

FOUNDERS OF THE FOUNDATION: SOL OG STRAND MUST REMAIN DANISH – AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
It is the founders of Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental A/S, Margit and Kjeld Andersen, who established the "Fonden Sol og Strand ved Margit og Kjeld".

The couple had a dual wish – namely to keep Sol og Strand in Danish hands, but also to ensure that the company's profits primarily go to charitable and humanitarian purposes.

– We have received the money we need. And we can see that others can greatly benefit from it if we channel the profits further to humanitarian and charitable purposes. We are confirmed in this when we see the long line of qualified applications that have come to the foundation again this year, says Kjeld Andersen, who, together with his wife Margit Andersen, established Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental 42 years ago.

Margit Andersen adds:

– We are very pleased to see the quality of the work we donate money to. It is clear that the applications come from organizations that are passionate about making a difference. And that is what matters to us, says Margit Andersen.

FURTHER COMMENTS:
Signe Damgaard,
press officer, Doctors Without Borders,
tel. 41 777446

Jens Stadum,
chairman of the board of "Fonden Sol og Strand ved Margit og Kjeld",
tel. 40856733

Kristian Andersen,
PR and press manager at Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental A/S,
tel. 40293837