Helensburgh Advertiser | News | Africa-bound Amy to help AIDS kids

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Thursday, 15th May, 2008 09:15

Africa-bound Amy to help AIDS kids

By Rachel Lamb

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INTO AFRICA: Amy McMurtrie.

A student nurse who will help AIDS orphans in Africa is holding a coffee morning to mark the end of her Zambia Appeal.

Amy McMurtrie will fly to Livingstone, Zambia, in November, where she will spend three months volunteering at a city hospital before joining outreach clinics giving medical care in remote communities.

She will also help in an orphanage and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Amy, who qualifies in August, has been collecting cash for her mercy mission for more than a year — and has to raise just £200 more in order to reach her £4,000 target.

Her final fundraisng event will be held at St Moden’s Church hall in Rosneath, on Saturday, between 10am and noon, and includes a raffle, white elephant stall and home baking, as well as a display featuring information about the explorer and missionary.

Amy’s mum, Diane, added: “Amy will be working in Livingstone Hospital so we decided to put up a display to teach people a bit more about him. David Livingstone’s grandfather founded what is now Strathclyde University and the missionary himself founded our church, so there is a link.”

Diane also told what Amy can expect to see when she visits the Southern African nation, saying: “As well as working at the hospital, the clinics and the orphanage, there is an elephant programme which encourages farmers to plant chillies and discourage elephants from eating their crops.

“There are also a group of women who run an HIV clinic raising awareness and money and providing care and support for people with the disease, who have been shunned by their community.”

Amy and her family have hosted a string of events to raise cash for her trip. The 21-year-old even climbed a mountain in order to raise funds.

Added Amy: “I can’t wait to get out there. My flights are booked, the project is paid for and I’m just sorting out my vaccinations.”

For further information on the coffee morning or Amy’s trip, contact Diane on 01436 831848.

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