WORLD’S LARGEST CHARITY HOSPITAL SHIP SETS SAIL FOR AFRICA

RMTnews :: april 2007 :: www.rmt.org.uk 24 T he world’s largest non- governmental hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, sets sail this month on its inaugural trip to Africa. The former Danish rail ferry has been converted into a state- of-the-art hospital ship at a cost of over £30 million and will provide free healthcare and community development services to the poorest people of Africa. The Africa Mercy will set sail from Blyth loaded with hospital supplies and materials for its first field service in Africa where more than 400 volunteer crew will provide free medical care, capacity building, relief aid and community development programmes to the people of war-torn Liberia. The Africa Mercy is the fourth ship to be operated by the international charity, Mercy Ships, which has provided more than £350 million worth of services since its inception in 1978. It has treated more than 200,000 people in village medical clinics, performed more than 26,000 surgeries and 162,000 dental treatments and completed more than 800 construction, agriculture and water development projects. Don Stephens, Founder of Mercy Ships, said: “Every ship has life savers, but this ship is a life saver in itself to thousands who wait for her arrival in Africa. Without this ship so many of the poorest of the poor face lives without hope. This huge white hospital ship docked in an African port is a strong symbol of hope”. All the crew on board the Africa Mercy will be volunteer professionals from around the world. Doctors, dentists, nurses, community developers, teachers, builders, cooks, seamen, engineers, and many others will donate their time and skills to the effort. For further information on Mercy Ships, please visit our website at www.mercyships.org.uk The Railway Children charity is organising an event for participants to climb 24 peaks over 2,400 feet in the Lake District in 24 hours in September 8/9 to raise funds for their work. Teams of four to seven, plus a support driver, will start on the Saturday and summit 10 peaks. That night teams will be accommodated in Ambleside Youth Hostel. Early on Sunday morning teams will climb the remaining 14 peaks and the weekend finishes with a meal and presentations in the Low Wood Hotel, Ambleside. Minimum sponsorship per team is £4,000. Railway Children is a registered charity, No. 1058991 that works worldwide giving a point of contact for homeless children at railway stations, providing shelter, food, healthcare, education and above all, friendship. The countries in which support is provided includes India, Mexico, Guatemala, Russia, Tanzania, Kenya and the UK. For further information or details phone 01270 757596, or e mail events@railwaychildren.org.uk Or write to Railway Children, 1st Floor, 1, the Commons, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 1EG. The Railway Children charity is offering the opportunity to climb 24 peaks in the Lake District in 24 hours WORLD’S LARGEST CHARITY HOSPITAL SHIP SETS SAIL FOR AFRICA TAKE THE 24 PEAKS CHALLENGE