|PIC1|More than 1,200 volunteers who have served on board the world’s largest charity hospital ship in Liberia this year are being recognised on Friday as part of International Volunteer Day.

The Africa Mercy has spent the last 10 months in the war-torn African country and the volunteer crew has treated over 35,000 people and performed over 17,000 free procedures.

The ship, run by the international Christian charity Mercy Ships, relies entirely on volunteers who serve on board from as little as two weeks, with some crew having been with the charity for more than 20 years. The Africa Mercy houses up to 450 volunteers at any one time, ranging from medical staff to engineers and cooks.

Dr Nigel Barker is an anaesthetist from Sheffield who volunteered on board the Africa Mercy for seven months this year with his wife.

He said: “The work that Mercy Ships does is amazing and really does make a big difference to the lives that are touched. Liberia was like nowhere I had visited before and seeing the poverty was quite overwhelming but being part of an organisation that was helping was astonishing and uplifting.

“Life on the ship is extremely challenging and hard work at times but I gained experience in surgeries and extreme pathology that I will never see in the UK. I would advise any of my colleagues in the UK to volunteer with Mercy Ships."

Liberia is a country that has been devastated by war and poverty with little healthcare, leaving thousands desolate. Mercy Ships have given many a life line, not only by the surgical procedures and free medical care they provide, but by building clinics and water wells as well as training local doctors and nurses.

Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK said: “We would not have had the amount of success we have had in Liberia over the past 10 months had it not been for the surgeons, nurses, chefs, engineers, electricians, cleaning staff and others, who give up their lives and volunteer on the ship. Our volunteers are the true story behind Mercy Ships. They even pay for their own flights and the cost for their time on board.

“Volunteering is hard work and it takes bravery and commitment to give up your life in aid of another person. Recognising this selfless act shows to all our volunteers that we appreciate all that they do."

Due to leave Liberia next week, the Africa Mercy is going in to dry dock before sailing to Benin early next year where it will provide free medical and humanitarian services to the West African country.

Mercy Ships celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2008 and over the last 30 years has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than £350 million.