Feet First charity goes from strength to strength

Feet First Worldwide was founded in 2004 by Spire Fylde Coast orthopaedic surgeon Steve Mannion.

It treats and prevents physical disability worldwide through not only time and personal medical expertise but also, and somewhat more importantly, by the ability to train and educate the local medical personnel on important techniques and methods.

With several visits each year to places such as Malawi, Laos and Papua New Guinea, Steve and his team’s aims are quite simple, to roll out and manage a worldwide programme consisting of improving the recognition of musculoskeletal conditions such as club foot and implementing change by introducing diagnostic techniques and methods of treatment.

Steve explains of the charity: “Having spent a number of years working full time in Malawi it was clear that there were fundamental problems in the diagnosis and treatment of a hugely common problem for the people of the area. In less developed world countries such as Malawi it is absolutely vital that each person has the ability and health to work and provide for their families. Previously either treatment was not available at all or was ineffective.

"The charity has seen a distinct increase in awareness and number of volunteers over the past few years and Steve continues, “The health system in these affected areas is run by health workers doing their very best with limited resources. To have the opportunity to return year on year with supplies and equipment is an honour. The difference we are now seeing is astronomical and with the correct attention and continued help we are battling the problem of clubfoot and other forms of physical disability very successfully.”

Steve’s team continues to grow year on year and each person must be self funded and willing to work hard in a very tough and intense environment.

Awareness that there was a problem with the treatment of club foot in Malawi was the first step, with the emphasis being on early recognition and prompt referral for treatment.

As a child grows older and begins to walk on the clubfoot the bones become secondarily deformed making correction more difficult. If treatment begins within the first two years in life the foot can be corrected by serial manipulation and plaster casting, by what is known as the Ponseti technique.

This avoids the need for complex, invasive surgery and leads to a more functional, supple, pain free foot in later life.

Local health workers are now trained in the Ponseti technique and importantly do not rely so heavily on the intervention of the team from Feet First. However, continued regular visits and further training sessions are required to keep the on site teams educated and motivated.

Bernie Huyton, a senior theatre sister from Spire Fylde Coast Hospital has been a member of the Feet First Malawi Project team for the past five years. She said: “I have worked with Steve for a number of years and we have discussed extensively Feet First’s work in these deprived areas. After my first visit I was 100% adamant that I would return in subsequent years and am very much looking forward to our visit in June 2013.

"To see the reaction of the local people when we arrive is astonishing and it is very rewarding to see the improvement in the patients we operate upon and the development of the skills of the local healthcare staff to deal with these disabling conditions. We are always looking for more volunteers, not only for the clinical work we do overseas but also for fundarising on which our projects depend." The operation in Malawi is run on the ground by Steve’s partner Mercy Nkhalamba.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Spire Fylde Coast Hospital

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin