A Canadian living in Bermuda as a digital nomad yesterday launched a new foundation aimed at supporting frontline workers – and to encourage people to get the Covid vaccination.

At a press conference, Sean McNulty, the founder of the Frontline Foundation, said that anyone aged 16 and older who got a jab between today and June 1 would receive a $50 gift card from the organisation.

He added that, for every person who got vaccinated, another $50 card would be given to a frontline worker as a show of thanks for their contributions during the pandemic.

Mr McNulty, who pledged $500,000 of his own money, to the Frontline Foundation for the initiative, said: “I think we can all agree that frontline essential workers are important all the time, but that’s even more apparent in the unprecedented times of the Covid-19 crisis – that’s the inspiration for the launch of this Frontline Foundation.”

Mr McNulty, the chief executive officer and portfolio manager of Toronto-based asset management firm XIB Financial, said that he launched the organisation to help support frontline workers and Bermudian businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that many people who were hesitant to get vaccinated were not against the vaccine and instead wanted to make the decision themselves without feeling rushed.

But Mr McNulty added that healthcare professionals, including his wife, a pharmacist, insisted that getting the jab was the “fastest and most effective way out of this mess”.

Mr McNulty added: “They tell me that it worked for polio, it worked for measles and it will work for Covid-19.”

Those who get vaccinated can attend any of the vaccination pop-up centres or clinics at the Bermuda College or at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, both in Paget, to receive a gift card.

The Frontline Foundation will offer the cards after a person’s 15-minute recovery time and will also donate a $50 gift card to a frontline worker on their behalf.

Mr McNulty said that all frontline workers were eligible to receive a gift card and that frontline workers included public transportation drivers, vaccination clinic volunteers and “others who have found themselves at the forefront of this crisis.

He added that about half of the Foundation’s budget had been allocated to this initiative and encouraged small businesses or members of the public who wanted to contribute to contact the Frontline Foundation.

Gaynell Hayward, the chief nursing officer of the Department of Health, thanked the Frontline Foundation for its commitment to frontline workers.

She admitted that she had initially been hesitant to receive the vaccine – but said she overcame her fear and got her first jab on Tuesday.

Ms Hayward said: “Each of us have to determine what is a priority, and a priority for me was my family.

“Keeping them safe, and most of all keeping myself safe, were so important and I’m glad I did it.”

She added: “I did say to the nurse ʽmake sure you have the sharpest needle because I am the biggest baby’, but before I was even finished saying it she said ʽit’s over’.”

The digital nomad scheme is a one-year residential certificate that allows people who can support themselves financially to live and work in Bermuda.

For more information, e-mail the Frontline Foundation at info@frontlinefdn.com.

* This story has been amended to make it clear that Mr McNulty donated $500,000 not $50,000.