A GHANAIAN teenager who received free surgery from Oxford doctors for a ‘withered arm’ is living life to the full again.

Michael Elvis Eshun, who underwent the operation at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre two years ago, is hoping to gain a university education.

Now Sue Footner, the nurse who helped Michael come to the country for the life-changing operation, is determined to help others through an international charity.

Mrs Footner, pictured with Michael, is now collecting unwanted clothes, household linen and shoes in aid of Mercy Ships, which provides free medical care and humanitarian aid to some of the world’s poorest people.

The charity operates the world’s largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy.

Mrs Footner met the teenager five years ago while she was working as a volunteer nurse on the hospital ship.

She said: “As a child Michael broke his arm and it became more deformed as the years went by.

“When he was 15 he went to the ship to see if there was anything doctors could do, but they had to turn him away as they lacked the resources to deal with the injury.”

Mrs Footner, who lost her own son seven years ago, was so touched by Michael’s story she set about doing everything she could to help him.

After discovering the NOC was one of the few centres in the world that could perform the operation Michael needed, Mrs Footner wrote to surgeons to ask for their help.

Although the surgeons and other staff at the NOC gave their time for free, she had to raise £12,000 for NHS costs as Michael is not a UK national.

The nine-hour procedure involved taking a bone graft from his leg to repair his arm. After recuperating, Michael returned to Ghana.

Now 19, he has completed his school education and is hoping to study economics at Ghana University.

Mrs Footner said: “We are really delighted how things have turned out. He sounds very happy and full of optimism and confidence.”

She now wants to raise more money for Mercy Ships and is appealing to Oxford Mail readers for help by donating unwanted clothes.

To contribute, contact Mrs Footner on 01935 87361.