On Friday 6 September, Lepra Ambassador and Pavers Shoes’ Chair, Stuart Paver will join fellow colleague Steve Ovenden and Lepra’s Matt Lovelock in ‘The 100 Shoe Walk’ a challenge event, walking three miles barefoot around the York Bar Walls.
Their aim is to raise awareness of leprosy and lymphatic filariais to raise enough money to help fund the purchase of 100 pairs of protective shoes.
Ulcers are common among people affected by sensation loss due to leprosy. One of the contributing factors is uneven foot pressure. When walking, high pressure is exerted in areas of the feet, which can cause repetitive stress and damage, resulting in ulcers.
If left untreated, or if there is continuous stress on one foot, ulcers can lead to further damage, infections and permanent disability. Having protective footwear takes the pressure off such areas and restores balance. It also helps to reduce the occurrence of ulcers and speed up healing of existing wounds. This in turn allows people to quickly return to their daily lives, and an improvement in wellbeing.
Although footwear’s primary function is to prevent the formation and worsening of ulcers and injuries, the benefits go way beyond that. When only one type of footwear was available, it was easy for people with leprosy to be identified and face prejudice and discrimination. Advances in footwear design mean that styles now mirror everyday shoes helping people with leprosy and lymphatic filariasis feel accepted within the community. Protective footwear helps people to retain employment and their livelihood, to access education and healthcare and to maintain family life and friendships.
In 2015, Pavers funded Lepra's first mobile shoe van which travels across the Indian state of Bihar delivering protective custom-made shoes to help those affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.
“As Lepra’s Ambassador I am looking forward to undertaking this challenge to continue the important work of raising awareness of leprosy and to help raise funds for vital footwear which can dramatically improve people’s lives.”
Stuart Paver, Chair of Pavers Shoes
It costs just £6 to make a pair of protective footwear for someone affected by leprosy or lymphatic filariaisis.
Click here to To support Stuart, Steve and Matt on their challenge, visit their Just Giving page.
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