June 2019 Club Meeting of Soroptimists International St Austell & District

Location: St Austell Council Chamber
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls

St Austell Council Chamber was our venue for our club meeting this evening - with President Sandra Heyward presiding the meeting. 

Alan and Heather Angilley from Physionet were our guests this evening. They gave an insight about their charity and their work.

Alan is the brother of our member Kath. Heather was a paediatric physiotherapist for 40 years. Alan showed us how items can be made from cardboard in very poor countries I.e. adapting wheelchair seating for children.

PhysioNet was established in 2005 with the aim of providing physiotherapy and mobility equipment for the disabled in developing countries.

Bulk collections of equipment are made from the NHS, Social Service Departments, Local Education Authorities and the private sector throughout the UK. Support centres have been established in East Anglia, Lancashire, Southern England and the West Country.

Equipment is checked and listed at PhysioNet's depot in North Yorkshire. Items are then sent in 40' shipping containers or the truck equivalent to destinations around the world, including Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. In the last nine years 60 consignments have been sent to 22 countries.

PhysioNet gained the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2017.

St Austell Council Chamber

Alan and Heather Angilley from Physionet

President Sandra Heyward presented £150 to Alan and Heather Angilley from Physionet.