09:00, 24 August 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
Legs4Africa, a Bristol-based charity, has launched a fundraising campaign to support those with limb differences in sub-Saharan Africa. Their mission? To get Africa walking again.
On 24 August, the first official day of the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Legs4Africa launched 'Leg Up', with support from current and ex-Paralympians like Julie Rogers, Joe Bestwick and Rosie Bancroft.
Legs4Africa is a registered charity, founded in 2013 by Tom Williams after his trip to The Gambia. Tom was introduced to a gentleman who needed a prosthetic leg urgently, and his search began. Once back in the UK, Tom was able to successfully source a leg for Paul.
In the process, he discovered that access to affordable prosthetic legs was a problem faced by over a million people with limb differences on the African continent.
[Read More: The remarkable story of Paralympian Taonere Banda]
Since then, Legs4Africa has sent enough prosthetic leg parts to build or repair over 9,500 limbs - working with hospitals in the UK, the USA, Canada, France and Australia, with further opportunities arising across Europe.
The charity collects used prosthetic legs, which under current European Union law, cannot be re-used in the UK.The prosthetic legs are then shipped to African countries such as The Gambia, Ghana and Uganda, where they can be modified for, and used by people with limb differences.
Alongside this recycling programme, Legs4Africa works closely with in-country partners to improve services, create opportunities and ensure amputees have everything they need in order to live independent lives.
The 'Leg Up' campaign will be running until Christmas Eve, and asks for the public’s support so the charity can continue their essential programmes in The Gambia.
These vital services consist of providing support and prosthetic leg parts for the only mobility centre in the country, community outreach and offering emotional support like counselling sessions through rehabilitation services.
Evie Dickinson, fundraising and communications manager at Legs4Africa said:“This is our largest fundraising campaign yet and we’ve been working really hard these last few months to ensure we’re ready to get going in time for the Tokyo Paralympics. We're really excited about this campaign because we have been approached by a long-term friend of the charity who will match fund all public donations. We're looking to raise £100,000 so we can continue our work here in the UK and across The Gambia.”
“The amount of good work we can do with double the amount of monetary donations is unbelievable. Through this campaign we have the opportunity to give thousands of amputees in The Gambia the ultimate leg up, by providing prosthetic legs and access to rehabilitation, training and employment. It could be a few special months for us here at Legs HQ and we hope you’ll be part of it.”
Julie Rogers, double Paralympian and Team GB Sprinter said: “The value and freedom a prosthesis gives to an amputee is something that is definitely taken for granted. The reality of others not having the same privilege has to be changed, which is why I think Legs4Africa is such a great charity to get behind.”
Legs4Africa has been working with Julie Rogers since 2019, when she donated a bag full of children’s prosthetic legs. In May 2020 she became their official ambassador and has been influential in the planning and launch of the Leg Up campaign.
To donate to the Leg Up campaign, visit www.legs4africa.org/legup. You can also follow the campaign on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook - @Legs4Africa.
