About us
The following sections describe who is involved with MyBednet:
Origin of MyBednet
Rob Mather lives in London. In June 2003 he saw a television programme about a two-year-old
girl called Terri who suffered 90% burns in a housefire. He was very moved by her
story and rounded up two friends to swim and raise some money for her trust fund.
What started as a three-person swim developed over the next seven weeks into 150
swims in 73 countries involving 10,000 people. 100% of the money raised went to
Terri's Trust Fund. 'Swim For Terri' took place on 6th Dec 2003. www.SwimForTerri.org
A few people asked 'What are we doing next year?' Rob's throwaway line was 'Get
a million people to swim...' and World Swim Against Malaria was the result.
We promise..
- 100% of the money we receive will buy long-lasting insecticidal nets
- and they will end up over heads and beds
- and we will demonstrate that has happened.
From a legal perspective, MyBednet is an initiative of the Against
Malaria Foundation (AMF), a charity registered in the UK, US, Australia and a number
of other countries.
The Against Malaria Foundation
AMF launched and ran World Swim Against Malaria (WSM) on 3rd Dec 2005 in which more
than 250,000 people swam and fundraised. 100% of the US$1.3m raised purchased 270,000
long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) which are now being distributed to protect
540,000 (mainly) children from biting insects when they sleep at night.
The AMF is a charity registered in the UK and governed by the laws of England &
Wales. Our registered charity number is 1105319. We are also registered in
other countries.
The Foundation was set up in August 2004 with the explicit aim of handling the money
raised through World Swim Against Malaria. Since then Against Malaria has launched a number of other initiatives and has developed a significant number of fundraising partnerships whereby groups raising funds for nets, often for their own distributions, raise funds through Against Malaria. We do not take a cut or a fee so 100% of the funds these groups raise buys nets for them.
As stated in the Articles of Association of the Foundation, the official document
describing our purpose, our aims are:
“…the relief of suffering from malaria by the provision of funds for the prevention
and/or treatment of malaria and the advancement of education in the subjects of
a) the problems and suffering caused by malaria and b) what can be done to alleviate
them.”
More specifically, 100% of the money we raise buys long-lasting insecticidal mosquito
nets (LLINs). Via distribution partnerships, these nets end up over heads and beds
and we demonstrate that has happened. See our approach.
Trustees
Trustees play an important role in controlling
the management and administration of charities as well as providing valuable expertise
and experience. The Trustees of the AMF have been chosen carefully to reflect the
different aspects of this initiative.
Malaria Advisory Group
The Malaria Advisory Group (MAG) is responsible for
advising AMF Trustees how monies raised should be spent.
The MAG is made up of some of the world's leading malaria experts. The group has
extensive experience both in the strategies used to combat malaria and in the implementation
of malaria programmes.
All spending decisions will be detailed on this website ensuring complete transparency
of our actions. All bednet distributions are listed individually
on the website.
Advisors
Allen & Overy LLP, the international law firm, are dealing with all legal aspects
of AMF for free. We are exceptionally grateful for their assistance.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, the world's largest professional services organisation, are dealing with all our accounting
matters for free and we are exceptionally grateful to them also.
Other individuals and organisations have contributed their services, time and expertise
for free. A full list of those who have helped can be found on the
People to Thank page.
Background to Against Malaria
Rob Mather lives in London. In June 2003 he saw a television programme about a two-year-old
girl called Terri who suffered 90% burns in a housefire. He was very moved by her
story and rounded up two friends to swim and raise some money for her trust fund.
What started as a three-person swim developed over the next seven weeks into 150
swims in 73 countries involving 10,000 people. 100% of the money raised went to
Terri's Trust Fund. 'Swim For Terri' took place on 6th Dec 2003. www.SwimForTerri.org
A few people asked 'What are we doing next year?' Rob's throwaway line was 'Get
a million people to swim...' and
World Swim Against Malaria was the result.