UK charity hits the road to collect tonnes of prosthetic legs for African amputees
“Up to 95% of amputees in low-income countries don’t have access to prosthetic legs”
UK charity STAND has announced its “Legs on Tour 2026” appeal, an ambitious country-wide tour to collect tonnes of prosthetic leg components and send them to amputees in Africa who have no access to them.
Millions of amputees across sub-Saharan Africa are unable to access prosthetic legs, while the UK and other countries discard high-quality legs after use. Without mobility, amputees can’t work or go to school, meaning they are often stuck in a cycle of poverty.
From 3-6 August, STAND will hit the road to collect leg components from prosthetic centres across the country. These will then be refurbished and shipped to clinics across sub-Saharan Africa, where they will provide life-changing mobility to people with limb loss.
To keep the show on the road, they need help from the public to raise £20,000. The first £2,000 in donations will be matched by world-leading prosthetics manufacturer, Blatchford, doubling the impact of any gifts.
Donations will fund its UK and global leg collection, as well as essential care to help amputees walk again. Since STAND was founded 12 years ago, it has already helped thousands of people across sub-Saharan Africa get back on their feet.
Tom Williams OBE, founder of STAND: “Up to 95% of amputees in low-income countries don’t have access to prosthetic legs. Whilst in the UK, perfectly good legs are thrown away. Legs on Tour is our chance to close that gap. We’re asking the public to help us fund the journey and our work. Every donation brings us closer to giving someone back their independence.”
Richard Whitehead MBE, Paralympic Gold Medallist and Professional Athlete: “I’m really proud to support this tour and the extraordinary work of STAND. The difference they make to people is life changing. By bringing together legs from across the UK, this tour will help give individuals in low-income countries the chance to move freely, in many cases for the very first time. Mobility transforms confidence, independence and opportunity, and it’s an honour to stand alongside a mission that brings that kind of hope to so many.”