My mum, Professor Val Curtis passed away in October 2020, due to cancer, at the age of 62. She was the Director of the Environmental Health Group at LSHTM, still becoming a fierce old battleaxe (in her own words), and was an inspirational professor, colleague, teacher, mother, friend and life partner. She was fiercely intelligent, blunt, silly, driven and focused, always asking herself how she could do more, how she could have a bigger impact on the world. She loved winning a point in tennis, climbing the tallest hill in sight, dancing and African fashion. In her career, her colleagues at the Environmental Health Group said: "No one has done more to put hygiene on the global health agenda than Professor Val Curtis. Through careful research and powerful advocacy she inspired a generation of researchers and has transformed how we think about hygiene-related behaviour change and public health. Her legacy is far-reaching and will be felt for decades to come." She made handwashing matter before anyone had heard of COVID-19, and was probably responsible for preventing thousands of deaths through her work. 

Although Mum's ambition and drive cannot be replaced, her marching orders were to ensure that the work to achieve global hygiene goals continues. This fund is to be used to enable the next generation of global health leaders to take up the challenge and continue her legacy. Please consider donating!