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14 September 2017
On 15th October, Atlas’ Survey team based in Newquay will run a half Marathon to raise money for the world’s largest floating hospital – the Africa Mercy.
Mercy Ships
A lack of access to safe, affordable surgery kills more people in low-income countries than HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria combined. Globally, there are five billion people who have no access to safe, affordable surgery. Mercy Ships is working hard to plug this gap. The charity operates the largest civilian hospital ship in the world, delivering free, vital medical care to some of the world’s poorest countries. The ship is currently stationed in Cameroon, which is ranked 153rd out of 187 by the UN Human Development index. Since 1978, Mercy Ships has visited more than 70 countries, providing services worth more than £1 billion that have directly helped more than 2.5 million people. Mercy Ships has also trained more than 38,000 local health professionals in order to leave a legacy that lasts.
Willing volunteers
The floating hospital comprises of five surgical suites, a radiography suite with a scanner and X-rays, a laboratory, a hospital ward with 82 beds, and accommodation for the crew.
At any moment, the 400 crew members from over 50 countries will volunteer to work on the Africa Mercy. Medical volunteers give their expertise for free to help treat dental and eye problems, cleft lips and palates, tumours, club feet, childbirth injuries, burns and a variety of other conditions. These amazing people take leave from their careers on land and they even pay for their own room and board. The medical team includes consultant surgeons, nurses, physios, anaesthetists, radiographers, lab technicians and dentists. The rest of the volunteer crew specialise in a wide range of jobs, such as engineering, catering, hospitality, logistics and security, to name a few.
Supporting an essential community
Atlas’ Newquay team has decided to take on the Eden Half Marathon, hosted at the Eden Project in Cornwall, to help raise funds to help Mercy Ships reach more people who need life changing surgery.
“We felt that the charity ‘Mercy Ships’ was a great choice to support, as we work globally and, unfortunately, some of the countries we have worked in require additional support and assistance,” says Atlas Account Manager Hayley Boyd Hawkins.
“The volunteers on board are inspirational, dedicated, committed and generous in the extreme, giving their time to care for their patients, working together, forming the most incredibly caring community and team. They really do change lives through such simple procedures. Please help to be part of that change by supporting us on our run.”
To donate please click here.
