Amputee Euan gives one of his prosthetic legs to a little girl in The Gambia.
Every year in the UK there are approximately 250 babies born with a congenital condition that might lead to amputation. Euan, 11 from Bath, was born with a birth defect which meant his left leg had to be amputated below the knee when he was only 11 months old. The positive difference this has made to his life has resulted in him championing a campaign to recycle children’s prosthetic legs through the Bristol charity Legs4Africa.
Euan leads an incredibly active life. He has teamed up with Legs4Africa to capture his story, and explain why he donates his old legs to children desperately needing them in Africa. In total Euan has now donated more than 10 legs. His last prosthetic was traced to Wudeh, 7 from The Gambia.
“I feel proud because I was once wearing these and now I’m giving them to people that really need them”
Euan Murray
Wudeh lost her leg when a car ploughed into the restaurant she was in – several of her family members were killed. Wudeh was incredibly lucky to survive and, thanks to Euan’s donated prosthetic, she is now back at school, back playing with her friends and back doing everything kids like to do. Through their smart recycling programme, Legs4Africa are assisting hundreds of children just like Wudeh and ensuring that they receive the equipment and the support they need in order to walk again.
- Legs4Africa recycle outgrown children’s prosthetic legs – these are donated by hospitals and individuals across the UK
- The main cause for limb loss for children in Africa is from minor accidents
- Legs4Africa recycle over 1,000 prosthetic legs per year
“It is a fantastic thing that Euan is doing. There is a huge demand for components to build children’s prosthetics in Africa. Most of the parts we receive are sent to a specialist mobility center in Ghana”
Tom Williams, Founder – Legs4Africa
The World Health Organisation states that just 1 in 10 people with physical disabilities in the developing world have access to assistive technology. Legs4Africa addresses part of this deficit by providing the means for amputees in Africa to walk comfortably and safely in societies where such services are not available.
More details about the Euan can be found here: https://www.legs4africa.org/euan-a-legs4africa-hero/