Mercy Ships is an international charity that provides free medical and humanitarian services to the people of Africa using its hospital ship, the Africa Mercy - the world's largest non-governmental hospital ship.

In the developing world, lack of access to basic health care can have horrific results.  Mercy Ships freely provides relief to the forgotten poor – saving lives, improving quality of life and restoring hope.  The Africa Mercy is staffed with volunteer doctors, nurses, engineers and agriculturists that visit ports in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Doctors, surgeons and nurses onboard provide free medical and surgical services, while off ship teams help local communities develop sustainable water, sanitation and education programmes.

Since it’s inception in 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries and performed services valued at over £355 million.  Entire communities have been changed though the provision of medical equipment and medicines, as well as water sanitation projects and agriculture and construction training.