We are deeply honoured to share that Footprints 2 Africa has been named the winner of the Compassion Award at the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards 2026.
The award was presented during the national ceremony held at Birmingham Town Hall, recognising organisations and individuals across the UK who are making a meaningful difference within the voluntary, community and care sectors.
As a small, 100% volunteer led charity based in Gloucestershire, this recognition means more than words can express. What began with a simple belief — that nobody should be forced to live without access to basic stoma care has grown into a humanitarian movement built on dignity, compassion and hope.
Every donated stoma bag, every parcel packed, every volunteer hour and every act of kindness has helped make this possible.
About the Award
The Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards celebrate organisations and individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting vulnerable people and communities across the UK. The Compassion Award recognises those showing exceptional kindness, empathy and human centred support through their work. To be recognised alongside so many inspiring organisations is an incredible privilege and something we are very grateful for.
Our Journey
Footprints 2 Africa was founded with one clear mission: to restore dignity to ostomates living without access to basic stoma care across Africa. Across many under resourced communities, people are still being forced to use unsafe alternatives to get through each day. Many face severe skin damage, isolation, rejection and the emotional impact of living without reliable access to essential supplies. At the same time, thousands of usable stoma supplies across the UK are discarded every year following reversals, bereavement, product changes or policy restrictions. Footprints 2 Africa exists to bridge that gap. Through the kindness of hospitals, stoma nurses, manufacturers, support groups and individual donors, we collect surplus supplies across the UK and redistribute them free of charge to vulnerable ostomates, hospitals and partner organisations across Africa. Since launching, the charity has distributed tens of thousands of stoma supplies, helping restore comfort, confidence and dignity to people facing unimaginable circumstances.
What This Award Means
This award represents far more than our organisation alone. It represents the ostomates who trusted us with their stories. The volunteers who gave up evenings, weekends and holidays to sort and pack supplies. The donors who chose to send supplies instead of throwing them away. The healthcare professionals and partners who continue standing alongside us. Most importantly, it shines a light on the reality many ostomates face globally and the urgent need for continued humanitarian support, awareness and access to essential care.
The Impact of Our Work
Over the past year, Footprints 2 Africa has continued expanding its humanitarian outreach and partnerships across Africa.
This has included:
- Supporting hospitals and ostomates in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and beyond
- Working alongside local healthcare providers and stoma organisations
- Delivering humanitarian outreach visits and education
- Diverting valuable medical supplies from landfill
- Creating inclusive partnerships with SEND colleges and community programmes within the UK
- Building compassionate humanitarian pathways led by dignity, collaboration and hope
Our work has always been about more than supplies alone. It is about helping somebody return to work without fear.
Helping somebody attend school again.
Helping people feel seen, supported and understood. Helping restore dignity where it has been lost.
Looking Ahead
While we are incredibly grateful for this recognition, we know the work is far from over. Demand for support continues to grow, alongside the need for sustainable humanitarian partnerships, volunteers, shipping support and funding.
Looking ahead, we hope to continue:
- Expanding our outreach programmes
- Strengthening partnerships across Africa
- Increasing access to emergency stoma support
- Growing educational and community initiatives in the UK
- Developing long term humanitarian infrastructure that improves quality of life for ostomates
Every step forward is only possible because people choose to stand with us.
Final Thoughts
Winning the Compassion Award is a moment we will never forget, but the true heart of Footprints 2 Africa will always be the people we serve and the community standing behind this mission.
To everyone who has donated supplies, volunteered, fundraised, shared our work or believed in what we do — Thank you.
You are helping turn discarded medical supplies into dignity, hope and human connection.
Leave a Reply