HOLMES Chapel MP Fiona Bruce joined fellow malaria campaigners at a recent event in Parliament.

Getting Malaria? was hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, of which Mrs Bruce is Secretary, in conjunction with the charity Malaria No More UK.

The event was organised to thank supporters, like Mrs Bruce, for backing UK action to fight malaria, in the build up to World Malaria Day, which took place on April 25.

Mrs Bruce said: “Malaria is one of the world’s most deadly yet preventable diseases, yet it costs no more than a cup of tea to treat and save a child’s life.”

Fiona has campaigned in Parliament to strengthen the UK’s work to combat malaria as a member of the International Development Committee and of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases.

She has seen the devastating impact of malaria first hand through her work with businesses in Rwanda and a school in Tanzania.

“During my time in Tanzania and Rwanda I witnessed the unbearably heavy toll that malaria takes across so many areas of African society, including on education,” she added.

“When a young friend died of it, it really brought it home to me – that we need to help and what a difference a small amount of help can make.”
Strong UK support is continuing to drive progress towards a goal of helping to halve deaths from malaria in 10 or more of the worst affected countries by 2015.

Mrs Bruce added: “I hope people across my constituency will be inspired to know what a difference UK aid is making in helping bring down malaria.

“As we save lives, we are also helping remove this barrier to children being able to gain an education and have the chance to fulfil their potential.”