UFC champion Israel Adesanya has donated personal protective equipment, 10,000 face masks to frontline health workers, 10,000 three-ply face masks and 1,000 eye protection face shields to staff in Lagos his birthplace and Auckland in New Zealand where he resides.
The Whanganui boy and New Zealand's 2019 Sportsman of the Year Israel Adesanya is showing his support in the fight against COVID-19 as he also lends a supporting hand to Whanganui Hospital where his mother Tai, is a nurse. Adesanya said it is a small way of helping, but a small thing can go a long way.
"I can't do it for the whole world, but I can help the communities I know, the places that I have been a part of."
Whanganui District Health Board (DHB) chief executive Russell Simpson said he was humbled by Adesanya's generosity. "The DHB is extremely grateful that Israel has DHB staff and the healthcare community in his thoughts as we fight against COVID-19. On behalf of all of the staff at Whanganui DHB, we thank him for his generous donation."
New Zealand has reported 1,078 positive cases of coronavirus with 728 recoveries and 9 deaths, while Nigeria has reported 442 positive cases of coronavirus with 152 recoveries and 13 deaths. Adesanya is donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to both countries.
The MMA fighter came to Whanganui as a teenager with his parents. His family still lives here, with his mum, Tai, a nurse in the emergency department at Whanganui Hospital. He first developed an interest in mixed martial arts and it was in Whanganui that he started a kickboxing career that has taken him to the international stages.
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