Doctor Tony Clayson takes on Addis 10K for charity

Doctor Tony Clayson

Doctor Tony Clayson is running a sponsored race in Ethiopia to raise funds for a new charity that he has helped to set up.

Dr Clayson, a consultant orthopaedic and trauma specialist who works at BMI The Highfield Hospital in Rochdale, will run the Addis Ababa 10K on 20 November, in aid of The Northwest Orthopaedic Trauma Alliance for Africa (NOTAA).

The charity aims to raise money for equipment and surgical implants for use in orthopaedic surgery in Ethiopia and Malawi and support medical volunteer work taking place in hospitals.

Dr Clayson volunteers his time and skills to help train surgeons in Ethiopia, working at his own cost and in his own time, with a hospital in Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia. There, he is helping to train the next generation of trauma surgeons and to deliver long term improvements in trauma care.

He said: “Trauma is rapidly becoming a major cause of death and disability as Africa continues to develop with increased road infrastructure and building development but there is little in the way of coordinated trauma care facilities. For a population of 96m, Ethiopia has just 50 trauma surgeons.

“The Ethiopian government has recognised the problem and has reached out to trauma surgeons in the UK and elsewhere for help in building medical capacity and capability.

"Initially, we will support in Blantyre, Malawi and Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia as well as the national Ethiopian Orthopaedic training programme in Addis Ababa.

"Our work will involve coordinating fundraising, purchasing equipment and implants and arranging visits to help the development of local resources and deliver sustainable improvements and high quality care for people.”

To donate, visit:

• www.virginmoneygiving.com/anthonyclayson