Student nurses raise money for African Orphans UK for the second year running.

After their success of last years 20 mile walk in temperatures over 30 degrees the student nurses of Bassetlaw Hospital and Doncaster Royal Infirmary were joined this year by Student nurses from Sheffield and Barnsley Hospitals .The nurses Andrea Potter,Marie Rogers,Kelly McDonald,Yvonne Johnson,Kerry Thackeray,Irram Naveed,Sarah Lucke,Sovch Crawford and Sarah Smith all took part in a sponsored 100 foot viaduct abseil. The nurses have already raised enough money last year to totally furnish a small orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania. This was opened in December 2006 and now has 8 orphaned children living there with plans for more to join them as funds allow.

    Andrea Potter who organised last years walk decided that she would try again this year to continue with the fund raising efforts and persuaded nine of her fellow student nurses to take part in this terrifying sponsored abseil.Over 50 friends and family turned up to support the nurses giving them lots of encouragement when taking that first step over the edge.

    The viaduct called Millers Dale is a well known in Derbyshire by abseil parties. The viaduct spans a valley with a river running through the middle arch. After picking a number out of the hat each of the girls took there place and lined up for their abseil. None of the student nurses had every tried anything like this before but after a short safety talk by our instructors one by one all the nurses stepped over the edge to cheers from the on looking supporters. After they had all completed the abseil the amount raised was announced which came to the grand total of £950.

    The Orphanage is run by African Orphans UK. who have worked in Africa for some years supporting other charities financially but last year saw the need in Arusha, Tanzania to set up an Orphanage to try and help some of the children left without parents due to Aids. The local Masai in the village of ilboro on the outskirts of Arusha have helped find and set up the Orphanage in conjunction with the charity members.

    The Charity also works within local communities, supporting families who are in great need by providing basic food,clothing and where possible education. 

    We are presently looking for sponsors to help fund some of these day to day needs so if any one would like to offer their assistance please contact African Orphans UK