Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordering Vietnam and Thailand, with an estimated population of 6.5 million in 2012. During the Vietnam war of 1955 – 1975, millions of bombs were dropped on the country, many of which failed to detonate. Tens of thousands of people have been injured or killed as a result of unexploded bombs (source: COPE Charity). Most victims are children and men.

Gymkit UK collaborated with Medical Aid International and Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) with the donation of desperately needed Life Fitness treadmills and Star Trac exercise bikes to help re-equip local rehabilitation centres.

How did it start?

We received a request from Tim Beacon who operates Medical Aid International, a UK-based social enterprise. Tim urgently needed to source fitness equipment to re-equip five treatment and rehabilitation centres in Laos, working closely with Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE).  COPE is a Laos-based non-profit organisation working with the Laos Ministry of Health to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services for bomb survivors and other people with disabilities across Laos.

Objectives

The objective of the donation was so that COPE could significantly update and improve five rehabilitation centres.

Why is this project important?

Tim Beacon of Medical Aid International had this to say about the project:

‘The treadmills and exercise cycles are a critical rehabilitation tool, as amputees and those with limb problems receive vital treatment. COPE’s current equipment is broken and insufficient for the workload and clinical requirements. Both COPE and Medical Aid International are extremely grateful to Howard Braband and his wonderful team at Gymkit UK for their support and donation of the treadmills and exercise cycles to this project.’

Project resources

We donated three Life Fitness 9500 treadmills and four Star Trac 4300 bikes. Medical Aid International then organised delivery and installation to Laos.

Project results

The donation meant that the rehabilitation centres were able to replace the existing broken exercise machines with three Life Fitness 9500 treadmills and four Star Trac 4300 bikes. Effective rehabilitation is a vital part of the recovery process, supporting the great work undertaken by the surgical teams.

‘The quality is superb and the effort that they went to, to make sure they were just right for the environment was amazing. We are all so grateful for their support. It is so encouraging and inspirational to know that there are companies out there willing to help like this. They are very special people.’ Tim Beacon, Medical Aid International