A student from Helensburgh who attends Glasgow Caledonian University is putting her podiatry knowledge into practice as she is set to travel to India in the summer to volunteer with leprosy sufferers.

Louise McCloy from Helensburgh will travel with fellow student Lucy Forsyth to the North East of India to spend a month at the Leprosy Mission Hospital in Naini, Allahabad.

The second year students will have the opportunity to advise patients on foot care, participate in wound management, and to observe reconstructive surgery and manufacture of orthotics.

Louise said: “Not only will it enable us to see more of the world, but it is a spectacular opportunity to develop our skills and knowledge.

“And it will give us great insight into working abroad and with people who have conditions that are less common in the UK.”

The students are making the journey with support from the University’s Magnusson Awards.

They were among 13 students presented with the award in the name of the University’s late Chancellor, journalist and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson KBE.

Professor Gillies, principal and vice-chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, told the Advertiser: “As the University for the Common Good, we are so proud of the achievements that have been made possible over the years through this incredible initiative.

“The projects will enable the recipients to develop personally or professionally, giving something back to communities around the world.”

The awards support the ambitions and dreams of talented students and researchers at the university by providing them with grants to achieve what they set out to do.

Dr Magnusson said: “It is wonderful to see the University continuing to nurture students and researchers with such creativity and drive.

“The 2016 Magnus Magnusson Award winners are no exception and I know that they will make good use of these special grants and act as worthy ambassadors for the University and the Awards.”

Since the awards began in 2008, over 60 students at Glasgow Caledonian University have been able to realise their dreams and ambitions.