As a technical marine personnel consultancy, UTM Consultants are indebted to the incredible work undertaken by our freelancers.
Our specialist Survey, ROV, AUV, USV and Inspection professionals travel to the ends of the earth to represent UTM in challenging onshore and offshore environments every single day of the year – often spending prolonged periods of time away from friends and family back at home.
For those of us working from the relative comfort of UTM’s offices (or, as has become the norm during the Covid-19 pandemic, for those of us working from the definite comfort of our own homes!), the sacrifices borne by our talented guys and girls is nothing short of inspirational.
Continuing our Contractor of the Month Feature
If you follow UTM Consultants’ activity on LinkedIn you’ll have probably noticed our regular Contractor of the Month (CoM) feature. Running during the first week of every month, CoM is a way for us to shine a spotlight on the men and women who really put in the really hard yards for our clients and share our appreciation for what they do.
Whether they’re offshore when they receive their award or at home in between rotations, we highlight the stories, successes and personas behind our clients’ projects – bringing you closer to the people who make UTM what we are and giving them the recognition we believe they deserve for all their hard work and commitment.
During these challenging times, where offshore work continues alongside widespread lockdowns, global travel restrictions and market uncertainty, we feel that the positivity brought about by our Contractor of the Month feature is more important than ever. We’ve therefore decided to carry on with this feature as usual.
Covid-19 and the need to Support Frontline Healthcare Workers
However, we’re also acutely aware that, at this unprecedented time, scores of inspirational front-line healthcare professionals across the world are fighting to stem the tide of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst it is important for us to acknowledge the efforts of our offshore freelancers through CoM at this time, it is also essential that we collectively thank all of our doctors and nurses – and that we do what we can to support their ongoing efforts to fight Covid-19.
Helping to fund PPE for Frontline Healthcare Workers in the UK
In the UK – where UTM are based – our NHS staff, doctors and nurses are selflessly putting the mounting needs of sick patients ahead of their own safety. They work relentless hours and, because of a chronic shortage of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), they also put their own health at risk every day for the benefit of others.
Forecasts are, regrettably, that the situation in our hospitals will worsen before it gets better. Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Porters, Cleaning Staff, Healthcare Assistants, Catering Staff, Physiotherapists and an army of NHS volunteers will ALL have to deal with a greater influx of Covid-19 cases and the need for adequate PPE will intensify for everybody as a result.
Masks for NHS Heroes PPE Campaign
In light of this, UTM Consultants has decided to make a monthly contribution to the Crowdfunding Campaign “Masks for NHS Heroes“, an initiative that is raising much-needed funds to donate PPE to protect our heathcare workers aganst the Coronavirus while caring for sick patients. You can read their policy document here to learn about their mandate, the PPE that is being procured and how additional funding will be spent.
After an initial target of £200K, the campaign has already raised over £1,250,000 (at the time of writing). Whilst we acknowledge that these are challenging times financially for everybody, we would urge our clients, contemporaries and contractors to share the word about the Masks for NHS Heroes campaign and, if feasible, contribute in your own way.
You can visit the campaign page by clicking here.
Stay Safe, Everybody
We hope that everybody is staying safe at home or offshore at this time.
Our thoughts, as always, are with our amazing contractors and their families – and our heartfelt thanks go to all frontline healthcare staff in the UK and around the world.
