Guildhawk CEO Jurga Zilinskiene MBE and Director David Clarke were honoured to attend a fundraiser for the David Nott Foundation, hosted by the Rotary Club of London at the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons last week.
The evening was a powerful reminder of the Foundation’s vital mission in providing life-saving surgical training to medical professionals who volunteer their skills in countries ravaged by conflict and catastrophe.
A global crisis in surgical care
Five billion people worldwide lack access to safe, skilled surgical care. In regions devastated by war or natural disasters, healthcare systems are pushed to the brink. Hospitals are overwhelmed, resources are scarce, and specialist surgical skills are often unavailable. In some cases, hospitals themselves become targets of war, compounding the chaos.
The David Nott Foundation was born out of this urgent need. Co-founder Professor David Nott, a world-renowned trauma surgeon, began teaching frontline doctors during his volunteer missions in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Nepal, and other crisis zones. “I’ve seen the horrors of war. But I’ve also seen the power of sharing life-saving knowledge. That’s why we do what we do”, said Professor Nott.
Innovative training that saves lives
The Foundation’s courses are built on David Nott’s 30 years of frontline experience and are supported by cutting-edge teaching tools. From war wound and birthing simulators to 3D-printed bones and silicone organs, these tools provide medical professionals with hands-on experience in performing complex trauma procedures.
At the heart of the training is HESTON, a cutting-edge teaching technology. This anatomically correct war wound simulator replicates injuries such as head trauma and limb damage. The Foundation is currently developing a second model to expand its capacity to train even more doctors simultaneously.
Localising surgical training
The Foundation operates in conflict zones across the globe and tailors its training to meet the specific language needs of local healthcare professionals. By localising its courses, the Foundation ensures that clinicians are trained in techniques and procedures in the language they understand best.
By empowering local surgeons to learn new skills in their mother language, the Foundation creates a sustainable impact. This approach not only addresses the immediate need for skilled surgical care but also strengthens local healthcare systems for the future.
A night of reflection and hope
The evening featured a moving speech by Dr James Gough MBBCh, CEO of the David Nott Foundation, who highlighted the many ongoing but often overlooked wars around the world. Co-founder Elly Nott delivered an inspiring message of hope, reminding attendees of the courage of surgeons working on the front lines, often in danger themselves, and the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to training despite the risks.
David Hunt, Baron Hunt of Wirral MBE, told guests: “Every day, headlines are full of untold suffering. And that is why the David Nott Foundation is so essential". He added: "There is no finger pointing, this is just a human response to suffering.”
David Clarke, Guildhawk’s Director, participated in the evening’s auction and successfully bid for an authentic, anatomically correct simulated human heart from HESTON. The lifelike model serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of high-quality teaching tools in equipping surgeons to save lives in the most challenging conditions.
Join us in supporting this life-saving mission
The David Nott Foundation’s work is a beacon of hope in a world where access to skilled surgical care is a luxury for far too many. By donating, you can help train more medical professionals and make safe, skilled surgical care a reality for those in desperate need.
To make a difference and help brave volunteers save lives, visit https://davidnottfoundation.com/donate.
Rotary Club of London President Candy Liu, Elly Nott, and guests at the David Nott Foundation Fundraiser.
