A collaboration between an Oxford charity, a group of Formula 1 colleagues and an organisation which provides healthcare solutions around the world has seen life-changing medical equipment sent to Africa.
Yellow Submarine, which supports young people with leaning disabilities and autism to build their social skills, confidence and employability, collaborated with Grid4Good and Medical Aid International to provide an affordable solution for broken leg fixators in low-income countries.
Typically costing more than £2,000 each, designer Pat Warner revolutionised the process, creating a model that costs just £25 to be produced.
These devices, set for distribution via Medical Aid International, offer a lifeline to those at risk of losing the use of their leg.
More than 600 fixators were needed for the pilot project, involving the assembly of numerous intricate components.
This task fell to James, a Yellow Submarine member, and his Reach colleagues – Kyle, Amy, Tom, Gareth, and Damo.
Reach is a Yellow Submarine initiative aimed at bolstering confidence, wellbeing and independence among adults living with learning disabilities and autism.
The team assembled, counted, and checked the parts over six sessions, ensuring the project met its deadline in time for shipping to Africa.
James said: "I have literally helped change someone’s life."
To commemorate the successful completion of the project, the team was treated to a tour of a Formula 1 facility.
Mr Warner said: "Yellow Submarine changed my autistic daughter's life.
"As part of the fixator project, we needed someone to perform the light assembly tasks required before the fixator clamps could be delivered to Med-Aid.
"Through their social enterprise project, they gave Katie the opportunity to take on a traineeship, equipping her with the tools and confidence to work front of house in the service industry for the past seven years.
"I recognised that this may provide Yellow Submarine with an opportunity to provide work experience from another industry to more young adults, hopefully giving further opportunities for future employment and I really wanted to be able to give something back.
"I’m very happy to say, they did an amazing job. I’m hopeful that this project will continue to deliver, and that Med-Aid and Yellow Submarine can continue to do great things together."
Tim Beacon, CEO of Medical Aid International, added: "We were so delighted to work with Yellow Submarine and support them in their truly amazing work.
"The group did an amazing job, putting together a key part of the fixator, doing it quickly and efficiently.
"We look forward to continuing this relationship, they performed a vital role in helping people in so much need and we are very grateful."
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