In 1995, the first year of sponsorship, Zeneca has elected to support two initiatives, one in the UK and one overseas. These awards are open to nominations from throughout the country and seek to recognise members of the general public who have performed genuine acts of care without any thought of reward, praise or other benefit. Overseas, Zeneca's sponsorship will support an anti-malarial project in Vietnam.
Malaria is the biggest cause of sickness and the second greatest cause of death in Vietnam.
One of the principal methods of combating the spread of the disease is using bed-nets impregnated with an insecticide to combat the malaria carrying mosquito. Zeneca's support will enable the British Red Cross to purchase and distribute bed-nets to 50,000 people and pay for the training of 85 Red Cross volunteers who will work in the community, educating people about prevention and control of malaria. The British Red Cross is a non-political organisation which was established in 1870. The Queen is Patron and President of the British Red Cross and the Princess of Wales is a Vice President and Patron of Red Cross Youth. She recently agreed to act as the Patron of the 125th Birthday Appeal which will be launched in 1995.