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Leprosy Mission
UK News

Christians go barefoot for leprosy sufferers

by Aaron James

It's part of Leprosy Mission's Feet First project, which is challenging people to go barefoot for a day or more to raise money to provide protective sandals for people with the disease.

The UK government has agreed to double all of the funds Leprosy Mission makes for its Feet First project from June 1st to August 31st 2015. Premier is an official media partner of Feet First.

Leprosy is a disease which causes inflammation that eventually causes muscle paralysis and loss of feeling. This loss of feeling makes the sufferer unaware of subsequent injuries such as cuts, burns and infections. These can then go untreated, often leading to the sufferer losing hands and feet.

It can be cured with medicine, however many people in poorer countries do not get access to this medicine in time before the disease does permanent damage.

Andy Graham, a Christian at the Trafalgar Square campaign who's gone the last seven years without wearing shoes, told Premier: "The problem is, the time between them actually getting the disease and getting treatment is a dangerous time for them because it's then which they damage themselves.

"Their feet lose sensation and when they're walking around, barefoot in African countries often, they will damage themselves without even realising they've damaged themselves, and by the time they actually get medication it's too late to repair a lot of that damage.

Speaking to people who may be wary of going about their daily lives without shoes on, he said: "I haven't actually worn shoes for about seven years. I've spent a lot of time in the city and so I can testify that there's absolutely no problem walking around in London or any other city... It is perfectly safe.

"The National Portrait Gallery is about the only place I know in London who will not admit barefooters. We have no problem going into restaurants, cafes, theatres, anywhere at all."

Listen to Premier's Aaron James speaking to Andy Graham:

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