About |
World Wide Web – January 31, 2014 Tom Williams is the founder of Legs 4 Africa, he and volunteers, Chris Mawby and Jamie Hovis have a vision. They are the visionaries who are the foundation of a group that is bringing hope to people of Africa. The idea came to them when they recognized that in the UK it is estimated that more than 2000 used prosthetic limbs are being disposed of every year as people grow and need to upgrade and replace their own prosthetics.
It is significant that amputees tend to experience a wide range of emotions after losing a limb. Some of the emotions typically include sadness, anger, grief, anxiety and depression. Many people who have lost a limb, report some of these feelings diminish over time, especially when more independence and physical activity is regained. A loss of a limb without a prosthetic can severely effect self-image and along with it, a person’s confidence. By supplying prosthetic limbs to needy individuals, Chris and Jamie, are helping people get back to work and on with positive life potential.
The generous undertaking requires public support to create the established infrastructure necessary to support the actions involved. Tom, Chris and Jamie’s generosity is sparking others to join with them and participate in the benevolent effort. The men have created a Crowd funding platform to help the ambitious endeavor establish footing, to supply and transport 200 limbs to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in The Gambia. The task will involve two volunteers to drive a van full of limbs, 3,708 miles, from Leicestershire to Gambia.
The men chose a focus on Gambia because both have established connections in that location which are already developed, with work they have started. The pair will use the resources also to cover the expenses of creating a short film documentary which will effectively get Legs 4 Africa and the group message to a larger audience. The documentary will follow the journey of the volunteers and the limbs, from the UK to their new owners in Gambia. The group expects to focus on capturing the impact that a new limb delivers to an amputee and how it affects their careers.
Any leftover funds will be donated to the department of Social Welfare at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in The Gambia, where the limbs are received, customized and paired with their new owners. In the future, founder Tom Williams intends to expand the efforts to other African nations.
Tom Williams, Chris Mawby and Jamie Hovis anticipate people will spread the word, assist the work and contribute. The group is offering varying levels of contribution with accompanying rewards. To explore the vision visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/legittoafrica/