Infant Club Foot Appeal

This is an appeal for donations to the Infant Club Foot Appeal. Dr Charlotte Hawkins, a specialist in paediatric congenital birth defect based in Harley Street, London, was asked to visit the Island of Zanzibar in October 2010 with a view to tackling their increasing problem of CTEV (congenital talipes equino varus) / Club Foot. Charlotte found that the facilities at the clinic were very limited and that the treatment outcomes were not always optimal. Furthermore, there was a shortage of basic tools and the technicians were struggling to treat children using builders plaster and broken glass as cutting equipment.

Dr Hawkins was able to retrain the technicians to optimise their serial casting techniques and to demonstrate how CTEV can be treated successfully using the “Ponseti” technique, avoiding the necessity for surgery. In addition, she and a colleague trained staff in basic orthotic manufacture using materials taken with them and established an excellent relationship with staff, promising to return with materials and machinery as well as further training>

You can be part of this life changing programme, helping children to walk again and challenging disability for children in Africa by donating any unwanted orthopaedic materials, shoes, equipment or anything that may be of use to Dr Charlotte and her team. You can send your donations to Algeos at the above address or alternatively, we can also pick up during our van trips (please contact us to arrange collection).

This was a huge success last year, thank you to all who donated it really did make a huge difference.