Phil Tunstall, chief of operations at Legs4Africa and all round good egg, describes his recent experience of working at the wheelchair centre in the Gambia. He takes a look at the highs and the lows of the work that the centre does and the frustrations its technicians are forced to endure due to insufficient resources. Finally, he explains how you … Read More
A spotlight on the customisation and fitting of legs
There are many stages in getting an African amputee walking again, not least of which is making sure that the equipment we provide is appropriate for the task. Through the highly skilled Prosthetists at our partner hospitals and clinics in Africa, the recycled prosthetic limb that we send out can be assessed, restored and, finally, customised for its intended recipient. … Read More
200 Wheelchairs to support Rehabilitation Unit in The Gambia
Legs4Africa is looking to raise six thousand pounds to furnish The Wheelchair Centre, supplying the whole of The Gambia with wheelchairs, as well as the nearby physiotherapy department with essential tools, replacement parts and equipment. The skilled engineers need updated tools and parts so that they may customise each donated wheelchair for its intended recipient. Over a hundred wheelchair users … Read More
Amputee Spotlight – Forday Conteh
In the dusty yard of Farafenni Power Station, a figure on a bicycle emerges from behind a distant warehouse. As the man draws nearer, I see the striking sky blue of his Muslim attire, and a wide grin beaming above a stark-white beard. He comes to a halt and nimbly dismounts from his ancient bicycle, propping it on a kickstand … Read More
Much needed shipment of prosthetic legs reaches Tanzania
Patience is a virtue Early June found the expanding Legs4Africa team racing rain clouds as they loaded 500 prosthetic legs to be shipped to a Tanzanian hospital. The 5,000 mile journey was expected to take about a month but, as with many schedules, it was to be left in the hands of the gods and customs which would decide the … Read More
A quarter of a million miles
A quarter of a million miles If, instead of being driven all over the UK and to Africa on several occasions, I had pointed my bonnet skyward and driven into the heavens, right about now I’d be reaching the moon, a quarter of a million miles away. That’s a long way, huh? But, let me introduce myself, they call me … Read More
You throw a pretty good party WOMAD
We couldn’t have asked for better weather at WOMAD this year. It was our 7th festival of the summer and we were starting to feel the effects of too much party, far too much tie dying and nowhere near enough sleep. We weren’t too sure what to expect from this experience which called itself “the worlds festival”, but our anticipation arouse … Read More
We love ‘Good News’ – Success in Zambia
Anyone remember when we shipped 500 legs to Zambia last year? We are starting to see some very good results, helping lots and lots of people walk again and regain their independence. Dr Colin McDonald was stationed at the The University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia and found that they were in desperate need of the components to build more prosthetic legs. After … Read More
The L4A Leopards
Dust off those trainers – The L4A Leopards need you! So, I’m writing this as I contemplate my running training plan for the Bristol 10k on Sunday 15th May. I can’t say I’m a runner, more of a trundler to be fair. Most of my 10k and half marathon sign ups have been whilst semi drunk or as I stare … Read More
Volunteer spotlight: Our doctor at ground zero
The old man is still singing Congolese gospel hymns, even as the young doctor removes his leg. The operating theatre is humid, dark and is a far cry from the sterile, brightly lit theatres of the young doctors home. It’s already been a long day with an unending stream of cases coming through the door, some walking but most being … Read More
The curse of the African witch doctor
Firstly a warning… This article contains references to practices which some of you may find disturbing. . Please, do not continue reading if you are easily distressed. What is a witch doctor? Witch doctors deal in maladies of the body, the mind and the spirit. They act as both healers and holy men often asking the spirit world for help … Read More
Vesbin around Truro for Legs4Africa
Truro Foyer is a fantastic scheme that helps 16-25 year olds find their feet, by providing housing, education and has a great sense of community. The staff and young people of Lander Court designed and built ‘The Vesbin’, a bespoke mod styled wheelie-bin trike, complete with comfy seat, mirrors, lights, steering and classic black/white chequers. Turning a wheelie-bin into a … Read More
The Gambian Wheelchair Basketball Team
About an hour’s drive south of Banjul, in the town of Seracunda, lies the grounds of the Gambian Wheelchair Basketball Team. Here, in a tiny sports centre, athletes from across the nation meet up every week to train. Many of these players fit the training around professional careers as teachers, mechanics or doctors. For others, the community of the court … Read More
Port Eliot Festival Success
The vibrant stall, the exciting volunteers and the opportunity to get creative made the Legs4Africa pitch a resounding success at Port Eliot this year. It’s been a long time gone, but tie-dye is officially back in fashion; with festival goers pouncing on the opportunity to colour-up their very own iconic Legs4Africa t-shirt. A multitude of techniques and styles where taught … Read More
Running round Truro with a Vesper-wheelie-bin
Zooming around Truro in a mod styled wheelie-bin (or… VESBIN) collecting charitable donations! Sounds great fun, and it’s happening on the 11th November in Cornwall’s biggest city. The staff and residence of Truro Foyer, part of ‘Devon and Cornwall Housing Group’ or DCH, have been busily designing and creating the wheelchair-wheelie-bin, a bespoke made money collecting machine where Wayne Cross … Read More
Africa’s fastest critter countdown
For the most part Legs4Africa is only interested in the simple yet life changing act of walking. Today we’d like to show you another aspect of Africa, its runners… Though, to be honest, you’d probably not want to see any of this lot hammering it down a country lane or, indeed, taking part in The Leicester Half Marathon… Though they will … Read More
3D printing prosthetic legs
3D printing is the future of product manufacturing. It minimises waste materials, it is portable and it is fast. 3D printing prosthetic legs is not a new idea. Recently Derby the dog received his very own pair of 3D printed legs and now spends all his time wearing out his owners. Versatility Design and production, until the advent of 3D printing, was … Read More
Run the Leicester Half Marathon for Legs4Africa
So… You wanna be a LegEnd and run the Leicester Half Marathon for Legs4Africa? You want to challenge yourself and make a difference to some of the poorest communities in the world? That’s great! Here’s the deal What we need from you… We want you to join our team and change people’s lives. We want you to run 13.1 miles … Read More