October 2021: Project preparatory phase, initial MoU with LION signed off on 4th May 2023.

September 2022: project scoping visit to find accomodation and meet with the CEO and Medical Director of LION. Expenses incurred from June 2022 for the Project.

January 2023: the first volunteers arrived in Malawi to set up accommodation and purchase a car. Clinics and Operations in addition to formal teaching with the Orthopaedic Team at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe were commenced (pending the move to LION).

June 2023: LION was formally opened by the President of Malawi and the BSSH team were official guests

August 2023: BSSH Hand Team started clinics and operating lists at the LION

July 2024: The British High Commission visited the LION at the invitation of the BSSH LION Hand team. The Health Commissioner Amy Potter and the High Commissioner, Fiona Ritchie praised the project structure with defined goals, governance structure and good engagement with local staff.

JustGiving

The easiest way to make a donation is via JustGiving. There are options for a one-off donation or to set up a monthly donation. JustGiving also makes it easy for BSSH to claim GiftAid, an extra 25p for every £1 you donate.

Donate through JustGiving

Cheques

Please write all cheques out to "British Society for Surgery of the Hand" and post to:

British Society for Surgery of the Hand
Royal College of Surgeons of England
38-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London, WC2A 3PE

Please either include a letter with the cheque or email secretariat@bssh.ac.uk with your details and which project the donation is in aid of where relevant.

Donor and fundraiser award levels

Bronze: £250
Silver: £500
Gold: £750
Platinum: £1,000

Benevity

BSSH are registered with Benevity so if you already have an account, it is easy to set up a donation to the LION project.

Give though Benevity

Fundraising can be as simple as doing a sponsored walk, run, or cycle, or even gathering your friends for a coffee morning or cake sale. You might consider participating in a sporting event, tackling a hiking challenge, or even braving a skydive! Alternatively, you could spread the word by talking to others or organizations about the project and encouraging them to donate.

All fundraising efforts, big or small, will collectively make a massive difference in helping BSSH deliver education and training in low- and middle-income countries globally. Please consider supporting us with fundraising. We need to raise an additional £50,000 to meet our budget for 2024/2025. Whether it's a cycle ride, a sponsored walk, a cake stall in a clinic, or a tombola, every bit helps. You can download our fundraising pack here. (Download the BSSH Fundraising pack)

Please visit our JustGiving Fundraising Page (Start your fundraiser on JustGiving) to register as a fundraiser, or contact the secretariat to make a one-off donation (Platinum: £1000, Gold: £750, Silver: £500, or Bronze: £250). Help us heal the working hands of Malawi.

-£100 covers the average health insurance for a volunteer in a project country for 6 weeks.

-£1,000 covers airfare and visa for a volunteer surgeon, therapist, or trainee to visit a project country.

-£1,200 covers the average accommodation and food costs for a 6-week volunteer in a project country.

GiftAid

Donating with GiftAid means BSSH can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you any extra.

JustGiving will automatically prompt you to claim GiftAid and claim on behalf of BSSH.

If you are donating via bank transfer or cheque, you will need to fill out a GiftAid form. This is very quick and easy to do and makes a huge difference.

If you pay tax above the basic rate, you can claim the difference between the rate you pay and basic rate on your donation through your Self Assessment tax return.

> Single donations GiftAid form

> Multiple donations/Sponsorship form

> If you are interested in volunteering, please fill in our Survey Monkey here.

> Watch the LION Volunteer Induction video

> Download the BSSH LION Volunteer surgeon profile
> Download the BSSH LION Volunteer trainee profile

There is an active WhatsApp group for volunteers and project supporters, which you are welcome to join. Please send your mobile number to the LION Hand Unit at lionhandunit@bssh.ac.uk

Kate Owers, Education Lead for the BSSH LION project

“This partnership has created a multidisciplinary Hand Service where before there was none. This is something to be extremely proud of, and we need to keep the momentum going. The BSSH/BAHT Team is making a huge difference every day by delivering specialist clinical teaching—in Handover, in Clinic, and in Theatre—and supporting our Consultant colleagues, Hand Fellow, Residents, our new Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Jean Mtambo ,Interns, and Hand Therapists to better manage these patients. They are also inspiring Medical Students in Malawi to consider developing a special interest in this field—an important job, as we aim for the long-term sustainability of this Service.”

Sean Walsh, Matthew Bellamy a medical student at Sheffield university

“I had a truly unforgettable week in the Lilongwe, getting involved in lots of different clinical work. Busy theatre days, lots of interactive teaching and full clinics were packed with interesting cases and learning opportunities. The team were extremely welcoming and helped me wherever they could. The team, project, hospital and volunteers are doing amazing work and I feel very privileged to have been able to be a part of it for a week. 

Carlos Prada, a trainee from Chile

"I was quite fortunate to be able to volunteer for almost three months at the LION unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi. The LION Hand Unit project is a unique global surgery and educational experience that anyone who has an interest in surgical training, healthcare in underserved areas, and global health should strongly consider! I had the chance to be part of an interdisciplinary team with whom I shared much more than work and even made new friends! I also interacted with different Malawian healthcare professionals in a beautiful, newly built facility.

Dr. Jean Mtambo Senior Medical Officer

“By fostering a culture of continuous learning and mentorship, I aim to establish a legacy of excellence that extends beyond my own tenure. Leading hand surgery in Malawi fills me with pride. Each patient I treat represents an opportunity to significantly impact their life and enhance healthcare in our country."

Patient Stories

Jumbe is a 25-year-old man from Lilongwe who sustained a traumatic amputation of his right thumb during a road traffic accident in May 2024. At the time, Jumbe was a passenger on an ox cart.

Jumbe presented to the LION unit and was then referred to the hand team for management. He was admitted to the LION for six weeks and underwent multiple washouts, debridements, and BTM of his right hand. He has been motivated in his rehab while inpatient at the LION, wearing his customized splints and engaging in a hand therapy program.

Nine weeks post-injury, he is happy with his progress and is now able to form a functional gross digit grasp with his dominant hand.

George Moses is a 25-year-old man who works as a chicken vaccinator in Lilongwe. He sustained an injury to his dominant right hand while driving an ox cart that was hit by a passing minibus in May 2024.

George presented to the LION ED and was referred to the BSSH hand team. He had a traumatic amputation of his middle finger, followed by debridement of non-viable tissue and amputation of his ring finger. George has been very motivated and engaged in regular hand therapy sessions, focusing on AROM, PROM, and scar management. He has regained functional pincer and tripod grasp. George is very happy with his progress and feels he is at a functional level to return to chicken vaccinating in August.