The aim of this 5 year 'British Society for Surgery of the Hand - LION Project' in Malawi is to support the creation of a sustainable new Hand Unit through the specialist education and training of local surgeons and therapists by UK-based volunteers. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and sadly has one of the highest rates of road traffic accidents - with severe trauma often caused to the hands and wrists. These injuries are not only devastating to the individual, but can be so for the whole family, as livelihoods are lost.

I joined this inspirational multi-disciplinary team about 10 months ago and have seen the incredible hard work and dedication that all of the volunteers have provided so far, making a difference to the lives of so many severely hand injured patients since the project launched in January.

To help us raise the funds needed to provide vital surgical equipment, dressings and splints in this low resource setting and to support our volunteers heading out to Malawi, the BSSH have joined forces with Osteotec Ltd for The BOLOS (BSSH Osteotec Lake of Stars) Challenge! This is a team-based Pentathlon ‘around or across’ the distance of beautiful Lake Malawi.

https://landing.orthocg.com/BOLOS-Challenge/log-your-miles.html

So, unsurprisingly, we as a family are trying to add as many 'nautical' miles as we can over the next few weeks swimming, sailing and rowing (as well as a few land-based miles too) to help this wonderful and life-changing cause.

Thank you for your support!