Medics aim to help Nepalese children

A TEAM of north-east medics is planning to travel thousands of miles to take vital equipment and supplies to Nepalese children.

The seven doctors, nurses and midwifes from Aboyne Hospital have launched a fundraising campaign for the trip to the Helambu region of the Himalayan country.

The venture is part of an ongoing project led by Banchory GP Dr Mike Steven which has already helped to fund a boarding school in the area.

Dr Steven began to raise funds after witnessing the tough living conditions of locals during a trek as a medic for BBC2’s Extreme Dreams series in 2007.

Matt Donn, ward manager at Aboyne Hospital, will be part of the team bringing medication and equipment to the region.

He said: “We are hoping to go for a fortnight and during that time we will go to the wee remote villages in the region to offer health clinics to the local people, as well as going into the schools.

“We also want to create a green area for villagers to grow their own crops and to fund the salary of a Nepalese nurse for up to five years.”

It is hoped that a permanent health centre could be established in the area in the future.

The medics plan to leave for Nepal in February or March 2012 but fundraising is already going on.

A dinner dance will be held at the Victory Hall, Aboyne, on Saturday, June 5, from 7.30pm to 1pm, with tickets costing £30.

To book tickets, donate a prize for the raffle or to find out more, please contact Matt Donn on 013398 86433 or 013398 87807 or e-mail mattdonn @nhs.net