Today's trip down Helensburgh's memory lane takes us back 15 years to the story of a former Hermitage Academy pupil who travelled to India to help in the rescue mission following the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the region.

Here's how we reported on Judith Craig's efforts in the Advertiser on December 30, 2004...

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A YOUNG nurse is helping with the world’s biggest ever rescue operation following the earthquake in Asia.

Judith Craig travelled through the night to arrive at the devastated area of India’s east coast on Tuesday morning.

The 24 year-old former Hermitage Academy pupil will help treat thousands of people injured by the Boxing Day disaster, which has claimed over 65,000 lives so far.

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Judith trained in Edinburgh and worked there in the Western General Hospital for 18 months before deciding to spend a voluntary year in India, and she has been working with lepers and HIV sufferers at Sumanahalli in Bangalore since September.

When disaster struck the countries around the Indian Ocean, many of which are regarded as paradise holiday destinations, her team decided to send eight people to India’s worst affected area of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu near Pondicherry with medicines, food and clothes.

Judith’s mum Carolyn, of Geilston Court, Cardross, said: “I just spoke to Judy on Monday and she told me that she’s part of a team going out there.

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“I was very concerned when I first heard about the disaster, but when I realised it was hitting the coastline I knew that she’d probably be all right as she was in the centre of India. I’m really very proud.”

A member of St Columba’s Church in Helensburgh, Judith travelled to India as part of the Scottish Churches World Exchange.

Reverend Fred Booth of St Columba’s said: “She’s a person with a lot of feeling for people, clearly her anxiety is if she can help at all. She’s a lovely, lovely girl.”

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