// Burberry to supply surgical masks & retool Yorkshire factory to make non-surgical gowns & masks
// It is also funding research into a single-dose vaccine developed by the University of Oxford
Burberry is dedicating its resources to support those impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19 and to help prevent further spread of the virus.
By leveraging its global supply chain, research and providing funding to increase food supplies, the luxury fashion retailer said it would “help to meet the most immediate medical and community needs, while supporting the development of a longer-term solution to the global pandemic”.
“In challenging times, we must pull together,” Burberry chief executive Marco Gobbetti said.
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It is currently working to facilitate the delivery of surgical masks, non-surgical masks and gowns for use by medical staff and patients.
“We are utilising our global supply chain network to fast-track the delivery of over 100,000 surgical masks to the UK National Health Service, for use by medical staff,” Burberry said in a statement online.
It is also retooling its trench coat factory in Castleford, Yorkshire, to make non-surgical gowns and masks for patients, although the production and distribution will be subject to approval.
Meanwhile, Burberry is funding research into a single-dose vaccine developed by the University of Oxford that is on course to begin human trials next month.
The heritage fashion house will also donate to charities including FareShare and The Felix Project, which are dedicated to tackling food poverty across the UK.
“The whole team at Burberry is very proud to be able to support those who are working tirelessly to combat Covid-19, whether by treating patients, working to find a vaccine solution or helping provide food supplies to those in need at this time,” Gorbetti said.
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