The motion, which is live on the Scottish Parliament website, is titled ‘Congratulations to covid:aid’ and states:
“That the Parliament recognises Scotland-based charity, covid:aid, and, in particular, the work of founder and CEO Michael MacLennan; acknowledges the charity's dedication to delivering the widest possible range of support to those people, across the whole of the UK, who have been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, including around Long Covid, grief and bereavement, trauma, loss, financial hardship, vaccines, and other issues; and congratulates covid:aid on the significant amount it has achieved in the 6 months of its existence, having provided tens of thousands of people with services including counselling, courses, advice, and information.”
The motion was proposed by Alex Cole-Hamilton, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and MSP for Edinburgh Western, and has thus far been supported by a cross-party group of MSPs including Jeremy Balfour (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, MSP for Lothian); Monica Lennon (Scottish Labour, MSP for Central Scotland); Colin Beattie (Scottish National Party, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh); Bill Kidd (Scottish National Party, MSP for Glasgow Anniesland); Pam Duncan-Glancy (Scottish Labour, MSP for Glasgow); Pam Gosal (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, MSP for West Scotland); Donald Cameron (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, MSP for Highlands and Islands); and Paul Sweeney (Scottish Labour, MSP for Glasgow).
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “The pandemic has affected everyone. Whether that be their mental or physical health, or their finances. One of my party’s main priorities over the last two years has been to make sure everyone gets the support they need, when they need it, and for as long as they need it.
“The work of charities like covid:aid has been absolutely vital in the battle against Covid and its knock on effects, and it will play an important role in supporting the 100,000 people in Scotland who are suffering with Long Covid. I’m grateful to Michael MacLennan and everyone at covid:aid for the wonderful work they have done to deliver such a wide range of support and information to people up and down the country, and pleased to see his work acknowledged at Parliament.”