"My wife and I count it a great privilege to work for this unique charity."– Lord Ian McColl

A Surgeon's Viewpoint
by Lord Ian McColl
Mercy Ships International Board
Vice Chairman

Over the years I have been involved in many charities but there has never been one quite like Mercy Ships, which allows me to practice my profession of surgery under ideal circumstances for people who are in desperate need and poverty. Not only are the employees of the charity highly motivated by their Christian faith but their expertise and the service which they provide is second to none. Moreover, all the volunteers onboard pay for their own food and keep.

During our holidays, my wife and I operate together on Mercy Ships in a most pleasant atmosphere with everyone in the operating theatre one hundred percent enthusiastic, with a great sense of humour and professionalism. During our Easter holiday in The Gambia, we operated all day, eleven days in a row, apart from Easter Sunday, and it was a most exhilarating experience. Most of the patients are the outcasts of society, rejected by their families and the public.

One day Mutala appeared with a tumour growing from the side of his head, which was actually the size of his head; he was sixteen years old and had been hidden away from society most of his life. It took nearly twelve hours to remove this benign tumour, during which twelve pints of blood were transfused – donated fresh by members of the crew.

My wife and I count it a great privilege to work for this unique charity.