Bristol-based charity Legs4Africa has raised more than £80,000 for their Leg Up campaign.
The campaign was launched in August 2021 to coincide with the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and received support from current and ex-Paralympians like Julie Rogers, Joe Bestwick and Rosie Bancroft.
The charity collects used prosthetic legs and ships them to African countries where they can be used by people with limb differences. Alongside this recycling programme, Legs4Africa works closely with in-country partners to improve services and ensure amputees have everything they need in order to live independent lives.
During the campaign, the charity also celebrated its latest milestone – recycling its 10,000th prosthetic leg.
More countries are now aware that prosthetics can be dismantled, recycled and shipped to a new home. Legs4Africa hopes to work with more mobility centres, volunteers and amputation patients across the globe as the months go on.
Evie Dickinson, Fundraising and Communications Manager at Legs4Africa said:
“The amount of good work we can do with £80,000 is absolutely unbelievable – we are going to change so many lives. Thanks to the Leg Up campaign, we now have the opportunity to give thousands of people with limb differences in The Gambia the chance to get back on their feet and back into work. We will continue to provide prosthetic legs to those in need and also offer access to rehabilitation, training and employment. It really has been a very special few months for us here at Legs HQ and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone that got involved in our campaign. Without your help and generosity, we would not be where we are today.”
The money raised will go towards funding vital services for people in The Gambia. The team will provide support and prosthetic leg parts for the only mobility centre in the country, offer community outreach programmes and deliver counselling sessions through rehabilitation services. The charity will now be able to expand and improve all of the services offered.
Photo: Legs4Africa