False limb hoard will help quake victims

A HOARD of false legs found stashed under the floorboards of a retired taxi driver’s home were yesterday on their way to help earthquake victims in Pakistan.

Mike Sutton, 65, and his wife Teresa, 66, were stunned to find more than 100 artificial limbs and about 100 crutches and walking frames stashed in the cellar of their new home in Bridport, Dorset.

A plumber made the discovery while he was repairing the bungalow’s central heating last August.

The Limbless Association was yesterday collecting the hoard which includes a mixture of left and right legs of different sizes, most with pristine leather straps attached, and a prosthetic hand.

They will be either flown or shipped to Pakistan to help victims of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.

“My wife was quite amazed when the plumber went down, pulled one of the legs out from this hatch and told her there were hundreds more.

“We didn’t even know we had a cellar, let alone what was in it.

“We wondered what to do with them but we are absolutely delighted they are going to be put to some good use and are not just thrown away.”

Zafar Khan, chairman of the Limbless Association, said: “They are rather old, but some of the fittings and parts can be recycled and used in Pakistan mainly for earthquake amputees.”

He said many of the victims of the 2005 earthquake were using heavy wooden prosthesis, with poor quality knee joints, which were uncomfortable and not functional.

“We are collecting these limbs today in an attempt to try and make a difference to the lives of those who can’t afford new prosthesis,” added Mr Khan.

The limbs will be taken to storage in Luton today and could also end up being recycled in other projects run by the charity in Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda.

“The limbs available in most developing countries are not functional,” said Mr Khan.