One Year On - Celebrating our Partnership with Physionet
This month marks a whole year since we partnered with Physionet sending unwanted mobility aids to communities and countries in need. One year on, we want to reflect on how our incredible community has supported this partnership and helped to change lives all over the world.
When we started working with Physionet this time last year it was to try and alleviate any contribution we were making to waste. We know the NHS is estimated to spend a staggering £14m a year on mobility aids that are 'unused'. Meaning they're given to patients in hospitals but not returned, reused or recycled so they sit gathering dust in cupboards or end up in landfill.
We have always been conscious of our contribution as a business to waste, using only recyclable packaging and previously partnering with Mercy Ships to allow customers to send any unwanted crutches and walking sticks direct to be donated overseas. Sadly, when Brexit happened, the donation collection point for Mercy Ships moved outside of the UK meaning the cost to donate unwanted walking aids would entail sending to their HQ overseas and then sending on from there to communities in need. Whilst an option, this seemed ironic when we were trying to reduce our impact on the environment and society.
So, in 2020 we started to look for alternatives. When we connected with Physionet we were so excited - a small team made up of people who came together predominantly via the UK Rotary Clubs to help reduce waste but more importantly, support disabled people overseas who desperately needed aid. They are the most dedicated team of volunteers who have vast experience in supporting disabled communities internationally.
Co Founder Amelia alongside the Physionet Team in February 2024
Since 2023, we have collected over 1200 donations from our amazing community which have been refurbished, recycled and redistributed all over the world. Physionet themselves have now shipped 184 containers containing a total of over 60,000 donations to 31 different countries since they launched in 2007. Without fail, the team joins together once a month to pack a container - come rain, shine or freezing temperatures, we do it!
Every time we pack a container with the team we are blown away by the dedication and hard work that goes into making this happen. From collecting donations from local hospitals, care homes and communities to carefully checking each and every walking aid, wheelchair and all donations to recycle any broken bits, refurbish any mendable bits and pack them all nearly into enormous 40 foot containers - Physionet are the very best at what they do.
It has been the biggest privilege to work with them, we want to say a huge thank you to Peter and David but also to Chris who is the chief of all crutches and walking sticks who has personally checked every stick and crutch we have donated. We are so grateful to the whole team at Physionet but also all of you for your lovely donations, we know this is just the beginning!
If you are interested in making a donation - we accept ANY walking sticks of crutches (broken or not) and would love you to send them to us! Please visit Make An Impact to find out how to donate.
If you enjoyed this blog, why not check out:
The Ultimate Disability Benefits Guide - Everything You Need to Know
How to Pick the Best Stick - 5 Simple Steps to Find the Perfect Mobility Aid
