National Alliance Launches Campaign to Raise Awareness of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Across the UK

A powerful new national campaign bringing together leading charities across the UK has launched this April to raise awareness of limb loss and limb difference and highlight the growing need for support.

The Limb Loss and Limb Difference Alliance — a collaboration between organisations including Reach, Finding Your Feet, LimbPower, Steel Bones, Amputation Foundation and Blesma — is leading a coordinated campaign throughout Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month.

The campaign aims to challenge misconceptions, share lived experiences and highlight the realities of life with limb loss and limb difference, while showcasing the strength, resilience and diversity of the community.

Through a series of engaging videos shared across social media, the campaign uses creative storytelling formats such as “Passing the Emoji” “Myth Busting,” “Challenges,” and “Real Questions” to bring the voices of the community directly to the public.

The campaign comes at a critical time.
More than 12,000 major amputations are now carried out in NHS England each year, a significant rise driven by conditions such as diabetes, sepsis, cancer and vascular disease.

At the same time, around one in 1,900 babies are born with a limb difference, meaning thousands of children and families require ongoing support, prosthetic care and rehabilitation.

Despite this growing need, campaigners highlight that access to services can still vary significantly depending on location, with only a limited number of specialist prosthetic centres across the UK and ongoing challenges around funding, provision and awareness.

A spokesperson for the Limb Loss and Limb Difference Alliance said:

“This campaign is about visibility, understanding and connection. Too often, people living with limb loss or limb difference face misconceptions or feel isolated.

By coming together as an alliance, we are showing the strength of our community, sharing real experiences, and helping the public better understand the realities of everyday life.

With rising amputation rates and more people living with limb difference than ever before, it is vital that awareness, services and support continue to grow alongside that need.”

The campaign will culminate in a parliamentary event on 29 April, where members of the limb loss and limb difference community will come together to ensure their voices are heard at the heart of government.

Throughout April, the Alliance will also share key facts to increase understanding, including the physical impact of limb loss. For example, above-knee amputees may use up to 60–100% more energy when walking, highlighting the often unseen challenges individuals face in daily life.

The campaign also emphasises the importance of language, encouraging the public to use respectful and inclusive terminology and to better understand how to support people with limb loss and limb difference.

By working together, the Alliance hopes to create a more informed, inclusive society and ensure that everyone affected by limb loss or limb difference has access to the support they need to live full and independent lives.

For more information, please visit Limb Loss and Limb DIfference website