Tony Diprose, no stranger to voluntary work in developing countries, recently returned from another round of professional investment including a 17-day tour-of-duty with Mercy Ships in Benin, West Africa.
The Hastings anaesthetist says one thing that struck him on board the Mercy Ship was the wide range of people vital to providing life-transforming surgery for Africa's poor.
"I'd never have thought to say to a plumber, 'Mate, you could make a real difference in healthcare in West Africa!' Some of the crew will never set foot in an operating theatre, but there's a real need on the ship currently for a mechanic, plumbers, maritime crew; they need a carpenter. These people are as much part of our patients' treatment as any of the theatre staff. "
During October Dr Diprose joined the Mercy Ships crew of 480 internationals in their mission to being hope and healing to people in poverty.
The current 10-month field service has the 16,000 tonne Africa Mercy docked in Cotonou, Benin where the faith-based charity is providing free specialised surgeries and health care services to the West African nation.