The National Health Service is something that nearly every one of us has benefited from, either directly or indirectly. Whether it’s for routine check-ups, emergency care, or life-saving treatments, the NHS has become an integral part of British life. We tend to take for granted that healthcare will always be available when needed, provided by highly trained professionals in well-equipped hospitals. However, in other parts of the world this level of healthcare is far from guaranteed. One such place is Malawi, a small and underdeveloped country in southeastern Africa.
Malawi, bordered by Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is predominantly agricultural and most people are farmers, barely earning enough to feed their families. Medical care in Malawi is technically free, but the healthcare system is overwhelmed by a severe shortage of doctors, nurses, and medical supplies. There is only about one doctor for every 50,000 people in Malawi, compared to one doctor for every 350 people in the UK. Hospitals are often poorly maintained, lacking basic equipment like surgical instruments, medications, and even electricity for reliable lighting.
Against this backdrop of extreme deprivation, three Masons from Blackpool, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Steve Mannion of Progress Lodge No 4120, Senior Operating Department Practitioner Clive Chenery of Progress Lodge and Wyre Lodge No 7704 and Consultant Anaesthetist Allan Monks also of Progress Lodge have been striving to make a real difference. Together, they run Feet First Worldwide, a charity founded by Steve Mannion in 2004. The charity was originally focused on treating clubfoot, a common congenital deformity in Malawi, but the charity has since expanded its services to address a wide range of orthopaedic conditions, including trauma care. This care is essential in a country where road accidents and other forms of trauma often go untreated, leading to lifelong disabilities or even death.
Each year since 2007, Steve Mannion, Clive Chenery and Allan Monks have volunteered their time and expertise for two weeks to provide surgeries and training in some of the most under resourced hospitals in northern Malawi. Their most recent mission, in June and July 2024, saw them treat 120 patients and perform 50 surgeries in just two weeks. They also provided vital training to local healthcare workers, including a junior surgeon and several anaesthetic clinical officers, passing on skills that will benefit patients long after their departure.
The conditions they work in are incredibly challenging, power cuts are frequent and the team often has to rely on the light from their mobile phones to complete surgeries. Essential medical supplies, such as gowns, gloves and bandages are often in short supply and the hospitals they work in are vastly under equipped by western standards. Yet, the dedication of these three Masons ensures that patients receive life changing surgeries that would otherwise be impossible.
What makes this effort even more remarkable is that Feet First Worldwide is funded entirely by donations. The charity relies on the generosity of individuals, including Freemasons and their lodges, to cover the costs of medical supplies, transportation and other essentials. Both Progress Lodge and Wyre Lodge have been steadfast supporters of this cause. Their donations ensure that the team can continue to bring hope and healing to Malawi’s most vulnerable people.
Through their efforts, these three Masons are making a tangible difference, offering lifesaving medical care in one of the world’s poorest nations. Their work is an inspiring example of Freemasonry’s values in action. Philanthropy, charity and a commitment to improving the lives of others, wherever they may be. Now, more than ever, Feet First Worldwide needs continued support from lodges and individuals. Contributions, whether financial, material, or in the form of expertise can help to ensure that this vital work continues and expands, offering much needed care to those who need it most. Freemasonry is making a real lasting impact in a country where the need is greatest and where even the smallest contribution can change lives. In a world where access to healthcare should be a basic right.
The extraordinary work of Steve Mannion, Clive Chenery, and Allan Monks stands as a shining example of selflessness, compassion, and the spirit of giving that lies at the heart of Freemasonry. Year after year, they leave the comfort of their homes to provide life changing medical care in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable. Through Feet First Worldwide, they have not only restored the mobility of countless individuals but also given hope to a generation of Malawians who might otherwise have faced a lifetime of pain, disability and social exclusion. To learn more about Feet First Worldwide or to give a donation to this very worthy cause, click here.
Their commitment to improving healthcare in Malawi goes beyond simply treating patients. They have invested in the future of the country by training local healthcare workers, ensuring that their impact will be felt long after they return home. In the face of overwhelming odds, they have remained resolute in their mission and their work exemplifies the highest values of Freemasonry: charity, fellowship, and the desire to help others in need. These Freemasons deserve our deepest respect and admiration for their incredible efforts to make the world a better place, one surgery and one patient at a time.
In recognition of his work and dedication Steve Mannion has been appointed Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG, founded in April 1818) in the 2025 New Years Honours List. This appointment is a senior but rare honour for distinguished service overseas or for those who render extraordinary or important non-military service to the United Kingdom in a foreign country. Steve’s Feet First Worldwide achievements have been a significant part of the award.
