The Mail Force charity, established by Lord Rothermere, chairman of the Daily Mail's parent company, provided over 42 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the NHS, care homes, and charities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative, funded by £12 million in donations from the Daily Mail's readers and philanthropists, aimed to supply essential protective gear without cost to taxpayers.
This effort stands in contrast to the government's procurement of PPE, which Baroness Hallett's report characterized as a 'frenetic' and 'chaotic' process involving lucrative contracts. Mail Force focused on sourcing verifiable PPE and distributing it directly to those in need. The charity implemented a rigorous vetting process for suppliers and ensured all equipment met UK standards through meticulous testing by the NHS. Out of more than 42 million items, 99.7 percent passed quality checks.
During the early stages of the pandemic in spring 2020, healthcare settings faced critical shortages, with reports of nurses using bin liners as makeshift uniforms and elderly individuals in care homes being at high risk. Mail Force responded by acquiring and distributing items such as Type IIR fluid-resistant masks and hospital aprons.
Beyond PPE, Mail Force also raised additional funds for crucial testing equipment and, later, for laptops to support underprivileged schoolchildren with remote learning. In total, the charity raised £25 million. Operating with no staff or overheads, Mail Force ensured that all donated funds were directed to their intended purpose, as recorded in public accounts submitted to the Charity Commission.