The HoverAid Trust, a Christian humanitarian charity that brings aid to remote communities in Madagascar using hovercraft and other means, has moved its offices to The EpiCentre in Haverhill.
The charity was previously located in nearby Babraham, but because of redevelopment plans by the site owners, has had to find new premises.
John Greaves, the CEO of HoverAid Trust, says: “We looked at about 10 different potential office sites but when we saw The EpiCentre, it was perfect. We have taken a four-person office on the first floor with additional storage space. The Oxford Innovation team has bent over backwards to help us and their whole attitude is one of friendliness and support. It’s brilliant,” adds Greaves.
Helen Earl, centre manager at The EpiCentre, says: “It’s great to have HoverAid at the centre. We have a wide range of companies in the building so there are many potential collaboration opportunities that HoverAid can tap into and, of course, our regular events bring all these diversified enterprises together. That’s what The EpiCentre is all about.”
The HoverAid story began back in 1969 when it was discovered that hovercrafts are the perfect solution for navigating tricky terrains—gliding over shallow waters, river systems, rapids, ice, and swamps where ordinary boats just can’t go. “We officially became a charity in 1991, and since then, we’ve been dedicated to one clear goal: reaching the unreachable,” comments Greaves.
HoverAid is supporting several locations in Madagascar. It has three hovercraft there. “If it is medical work that is needed, we take a team of clinicians, doctors, dentists, ophthalmologists and ultrasound people out there with their medical kit. We have 80 Malagasy medical volunteers who volunteer with us for six weeks of the year from the main hospitals in the capital.”
“Madagascar is the 6th poorest country in the world and its needs are great. HoverAid is unique in that no other aid agencies have hovercraft. We also collaborate with other charities to get them to these remote places,” adds Greaves.
Most of the finance comes from the UK. HoverAid receives no government funding, so the investment comes from individual donors, fund-raising events, appeals and sponsored supporter “challenges”. Trusts and foundations give the charity grant aid, and it has a number of churches and other organisation partners. It also has supporters around the world, including The Netherlands through its local partner HA Nederland. In the last year the German Deichmann Foundation has provided, and funds the deployment of, two large army trucks with fully equipped mobile clinics which further extend HoverAid’s reach.
You can find out more about The HoverAid Trust on their website – www.hoveraid.org
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