Westminster Group Regulatory News (WSG)

27 October 2014

Westminster Group Plc:

Westminster Group Foundation - West Africa Ebola Crisis Appeal

The Westminster Group Foundation ("WGF") is a registered charity in the UK, Charity number 1158653, which was established by the Westminster Group Plc, ("Westminster") to provide assistance and community support programmes in the various regions in which Westminster operates. In view of the humanitarian crisis developing in West Africa, WGF has launched its West African Ebola Crisis Appeal to try and alleviate some of the suffering caused by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Background:

The Ebola situation in West Africa is now creating a humanitarian crisis on a scale far greater than most people realise and whilst there is now extensive press coverage in western media, what is not being reported so much are the knock on effects of this crisis for the local population.

The scale of deaths from Ebola is regularly being reported, currently estimated to be around 4500, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The fact is that the healthcare and emergency services in these countries are doing a heroic job with many brave healthcare workers giving their lives to help try and treat/contain the outbreak, but the truth is the system is at near collapse. This has, in turn, led to major problems in dealing with other serious health issues and killer diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and of course HIV/AIDS, all of which dwarf the current mortality rate of Ebola, together with the many other day to day health issues that require medical support that is no longer available. At best people who need such medical assistance may get cursory care but more likely there is no help available or worse they may end up alongside an Ebola patient.

Add to this the effects of all these deaths on families and communities who have been left devastated by their losses, coupled with a breakdown of civic structures, major loss of employment from the many foreign companies that have shut down or reduced operations, and widespread hunger, and it is easy to see how this humanitarian crisis is deteriorating.

Whilst the UK is now providing much needed aid and assistance and other countries are following suit, much more is needed. The various charities and NGO's operating in the region are equally doing a good job but the scale of the problem is huge.

WGF has therefore launched its Ebola Crisis Appeal Fund to help alleviate suffering in West Africa and provide much needed support to the local communities. Donations can be in the form of monetary gifts, with 100% of all monies received going to the charitable cause, or donations can be in kind (clothing, blankets, non-perishable food, toys etc.) which will be distributed utilising Westminster's extensive infrastructure and networks.

Please consider this appeal seriously and mention this request to your family, friends and acquaintances - the more we can raise on this appeal the more we can do to help alleviate the suffering.

Details of total donations received and how these have been distributed will appear on the WGF website in due course.

How to donate:

Details of how you may donate can be found on the Westminster Group Foundation website here www.wg-foundation.org

Or by email to ebolaappeal@wg-foundation.org

Or call +44 1295 756300 and mention Ebola Crisis Appeal and you will be put through to someone who will assist

For further information please see the Company's web site, www.wg-plc.com, or contact:

Notes:

Westminster Group plc is a leader in the supply of system solutions and products to the security, defence, fire protection and safety markets worldwide and provides complete airport security services for Freetown International Airport in Sierra Leone.