A MAN who works at a hospital for men with autism and complex needs on the outskirts of Darlington is using his skills to help a charity that provides free reconstructive surgery for underprivileged people in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Mohamed Azzam is part of Interplast UK, a charity set up to provide restorative plastic surgery for people who wouldn’t normally be able to afford it.

He assists nurses and doctors carrying out various reconstructive procedures in countries such as Pakistan and Uganda, as well as supporting the families of the patients.

He has worked as a support worker for the last six years at Newbus Grange, part of the Danshell Group, which is an independent assessment and treatment hospital for men with autism.

“Working at Newbus Grange has given me a great insight into caring and supporting people, so this helps me when I go aboard to work for the charity,” he said.

“With Interplast I do everything from bringing patients to the operating theatre and assisting nurses to apply the dressings, through to spending time comforting their family members who are waiting for their loved ones to have surgery.

"It’s very rewarding and you know you are making a massive difference to people’s lives.”

Former Teesside plastic surgeon Charles Viva heads the UK branch of Interplast and he recently visited Newbus Grange to see Mohamed and to thank you to service manager, Hazel Southern, for the support that Newbus Grange provides.

Details at interplastuk.org