Feet First Worldwide

Last August I watched an episode of 'Superdocs', a BBC programme about orthopaedic surgeon Steve Mannion, an extraordinary, inspiring man who has dedicated much of his working life volunteering to empower under-resourced third-world communities in Africa and Asia to help themselves, and working to improve medical treatment for children in Britain.

‘Superdocs’ concentrated on the work Steve does in places where there is no technology and no money, so everything has to be done through sheer human ingenuity - which he has in spades.

For example, in Malawi, one of the poorest countries on earth, Steve has concentrated much effort on overcoming the tragedy of unnecessary disability caused by club foot.  Here, he set up several clinics for children and adults with club foot but, as the only surgeon for seven million people in the northern area of the country, he employed a non-surgical, physiotherapy solution - to train staff in Malawi to perform as well - in order to try to keep up with the great demand.

This ‘Ponseti treatment', as the manipulation is known, is now renowned as more effective than it’s surgical equivalent, and benefits children and their families worldwide.

On watching the programme, I was particularly upset by the plight of a young man called Martin who could no longer tend land, hence feed his family, so was forced to leave his aged father and wheel himself 20-something miles in desperate need of help.  I have never forgotten.  The photo you see is of Martin's feet: notice the holes in the sides of his boots where his ankles had worn through, infection had already set in, and he'd resorted to crawling on his knees.

Steve has personally operated on Martin to help him walk again so he can take care of himself and his family.  But club foot affects 1 in every 1000 children born worldwide.  Feet First Worldwide is aimed at helping children from birth, to remove such widespread suffering for as many people and as early as possible.

I have recently taken up running and for my first race raising funds for Steve’s charity - Feet First - was an obvious choice. If Martin can wheel himself 20 miles, I can bloody-well run 10k! Well, do my best, anyway! How very lucky we are.

Any and all donations are really appreciated.  Every penny goes directly to Steve’s incredible projects - run by volunteers - to help people who so want to help themselves, and so need that support to get going.  Your donations will also help me drag my butt up those hills!

Thank you so much for your support!

Nic xxx

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