Sir Sean Connery lends support to African amputees charity

Sir Sean Connery has lent his support to a city charity working to help rebuild the lives of amputees in Africa - reports The Scotsman.

The James Bond star has signed a giant saltire, which will form the centrepiece of a huge fundraising event in the Capital on Saturday, before being hung in the charity's clinic in Malawi.

The flag has been couriered from Connery's home in the Bahamas ahead of the 500 Miles charity's Miles for Smiles event at the weekend. Organisers today said places were still available to take part in the event.

Connery gave his backing after hearing of the work done by the charity, established by former lawyer Olivia Giles, to relieve the suffering of land mine victims and other amputees in Africa.

First Minister Alex Salmond and Miss Scotland Katharine Brown also added their signatures to the flag yesterday as they pledged their support.

500 Miles provides artificial limbs to disabled people in Malawi and Zambia, owing to long- standing Scottish links with the two countries.

The 9ft by 6ft flag will be hung in the charity's clinic where people receive prosthetic limbs they would not get were it not for the fundraising in Edinburgh.

Hundreds of walkers will take part in Saturday's event by walking a mile, or part of a mile, around Festival Square.

Mrs Giles, who lost her hands and feet in 2002 to the blood poisoning form of meningitis, said: "We have more than 1,500 people registered, but there are still 80 time slots to fill which we are keen to secure by Saturday. I have been to Malawi many times and there disability makes someone become a second-class citizen. I saw a man literally crawling in the gutter with one leg on one occasion. The artificial limbs cost as little as £60 – it's hard to imagine going without for that amount of money."

Walkers will set off a minute apart between 11:20am and 7:30pm covering a mile course, totalling 500 miles. They will be joined by a host of well-known faces, including The Proclaimers – whose famous song inspired the charity's name – and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

All participants will add their name to the flag before it is shipped to Malawi.

Mrs Giles will also walk the route with staff from the city's Astley Ainslie Hospital who helped her following the amputation of her lower arms and legs.

Owing to poverty, less than five per cent of people in Malawi and Zambia can afford to use artificial limbs, with disabled people considered a very low priority.

Mr Salmond said the charity was an inspiration, particularly because of Mrs Giles' personal determination.

He said: "I sincerely hope Saturday's event will be a huge success and I think it's very important the Scottish public appreciate just how much £60 can achieve through this charity."

To register for a place at Saturday's Miles for Smiles, email olivia@500miles.co.uk or visit www.500miles.co.uk.

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