The Worshipful Company of Glovers of London

Koalaa Sleeve is awarded The Golden Glove Award

Written by: Sonja Garsvo | Stories

Master Glover, Alastair Collett was delighted to present the prestigious Golden Glove Award to Nate Macabaug for his innovative design and work with Koalaa Sleeve - an innovative, affordable upper limb prosthetic for adults and children.  The Award was presented at the Winter Lunch at the splendid Carpenters Hall on February 4th.

 

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Koalaa's soft prosthetics have easy to fit sockets meaning a prosthetic limb can be fitted very quickly and as they have a soft fitting can be used by new amputees as well as by babies.  The Glovers charity has been working with Koalaa through the Douglas Bader Foundation to help support those with upper limb differences.

The Golden Glove was last awarded in 2022.  The Award focuses on some key elements for a gloving or hand prosthetic product.  

These are:

  •  Is the product unique in concept, design or performance?
  • Does it use new technology or techniques?
  • Does it provide new levels of comfort, or exceptional fit?
  • Is it a development that changes the way the product is viewed, or enables the wearer to achieve what could not be achieved previously?

Having worked with Koalaa now for several years it was clear to The Glovers' selection committee that the Koalaa Sleeve fulfilled all the criteria to win the Award.  Additionally Koalaa has been applauded for its humanitarian work in fitting prosthetics in Gaza. 

Two mobile clinics are using this cutting-edge British designed technology, with doctors hoping to fit a functioning prosthesis every hour. The vast majority of amputees cannot leave Gaza for treatment elsewhere,  so Koalaa and Amparo ,who supply lower limb prosthetics, are bringing the clinics to them. The project is distinguished not only by the large number of prosthetics provided but also by its speed, as these companies have both developed easy-to-fit sockets meaning a prosthetic limb could be installed in less than an hour. For those who cannot reach the hospital, the equipped vans will go to them. Each fitting will be registered digitally, allowing for remote follow-up procedures with specialist doctors based in Jordan's capital Amman or around the world. 
 
Commenting on the Award, Master Glover, Alastair Collett said: "We are delighted to be making this award to a British design and solution led company which has created a truly innovative product suitable for all ages from babies to adults. "We wish Nate and his team continuing success in their endeavours and will follow their story closely."
For more information on Koalaa please see: https://www.yourkoalaa.com
 
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Contact

Alistair Rogers
Cornerstone Cottage,
Ludwell,
Nr Shaftesbury,
SP7 9ND

clerk@thegloverscompany.org

The Worshipful Company of Glovers (incorporated by Royal Charter on 10-Sep 1638) is a Livery Company of the City of London, 62nd in order of precedence.

The Worshipful Company of Glovers of London Charitable Trust (charity number 269091). The Worshipful Company of Glovers of London Charitable Endowment (charity number 1142506).