Celebrating 30 Years

Mercy Ships is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008 with a 10-month outreach to Liberia, where it will provide more than 5,000 free surgeries on board the Africa Mercy – the world’s largest charity hospital ship.

The Africa Mercy, purchased for the charity by Ann Gloag OBE, co-founder of the Stagecoach transport group, arrived back in Liberia yesterday following its inaugural outreach to the war-torn country last year.

This year’s visit will see Mercy Ships building on the success of its outreach to Liberia last year by providing training to local medical and construction staff, in addition to providing the free surgeries on board.

The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who mentioned the outstanding work of Mercy Ships in her recent Annual Address to the National Legislature, said: “I am delighted that Mercy Ships has chosen to celebrate its 30th anniversary by helping the people of Liberia. We are working hard to rebuild our country but it takes time and without Mercy Ships, thousands of Liberians would still be waiting for essential medical care and for clean water. Their support is invaluable and the millions of people who have benefitted from their generosity over the years are a lasting legacy.”

Whilst the 30th anniversary is a milestone for Mercy Ships, the charity believes the best way to celebrate is to do what it does best and serve the poorest of the poor in Africa. Over the last 30 years, Mercy Ships has worked in over 70 countries, performed more than 1.5million services and impacted more than 5.5million lives.

The charity has treated more than 238,000 people in village medical clinics, performing 35,000 life-changing surgeries, 194,000 dental treatments and over 950 construction and agriculture projects, including schools, clinics, orphanages and water wells.

Professor The Lord McColl of Dulwich, Chairman of Mercy Ships UK and former Professor of Surgery at Guy’s Hospital in London, said: “In 30 years Mercy Ships has changed millions of lives for the better and we aim to help millions more in the future. I am honoured to be involved with such an amazing charity and to be one of the thousands of volunteers who are the true story behind Mercy Ships. From surgeons to engineers, from cooks to cleaners, people from all over the world give up their time and share their skills for the benefit of those less fortunate than themselves. Mercy Ships’ legacy is only possible because of these people.”

Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK, said: “The conversion of the Africa Mercy into a hospital ship took place here in the UK and we were all very proud when she sailed last year to start her service in Africa. Now, we must look to the future and ensure we raise enough funds to keep her afloat off the African coast in order that she can help millions more people over the next 30 years.”