Ref. 73105-52 Madge Millman, INSET: Robert Millman who built the hospital in NepalADVER reader Madge Millman is keen to help Claire Lawton achieve her goal of spending two months in Nepal helping the people of Kathmandu.

Mrs Millman, 88, is probably better qualified than most to help Claire prepare for her trip, as her son, Robert, 56, built the hospital that Claire hopes to work at.

Robert, who has an MBE, raised £2.5m in just three years to pay for the construction of the hospital and all the equipment.

Last week we reported on how Claire Lawton, 28, a physiotherapist of Washpool in West Swindon, plans to spend two months in Nepal.

Mrs Millman of Old Walcot, said: "Robert has been involved in Third World work for 15 years now, he loves it. He started out in Sri Lanka when he was 41, then spent time in Nepal. When he was in Nepal and saw what a poor, dirty place it was he was determined to help.

"I saw the one hospital they had in Nepal myself. It was terrible. The children in the hospitals were in a terrible state.

"Robert went back to his company in Switzerland and asked them for the money to build a new hospital, but they just didn't have it to give him. So Robert carried on with his humanitarian work in schools and orphanages, but he worked towards raising the money for the hospital too.

"Robert found some suitable land and bought it. He had to go to the council a couple of times to gain land for the road and they were always very helpful. They even got the military to finish the road because the workers were lazy and slow.

"In the last six months of the building work Robert was heavily in debt, he was worried about where he was going to find the money from. His problems were solved by a kind German lady who was holidaying in Nepal.

"She showed an interest in the hospital and came up to have a look. She spoke to Robert about it and when she found out about his money troubles she wrote him a cheque on the spot.

"Sadly, she died soon after, but in her will she left every single penny to Robert and his hospital. The money was an answer to his prayers and covered all the debts."

The hospital was opened by the late King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya of Nepal and the Prince and Princess of Luxembourg were present. The prince and princess were regular donors to the cause; along with many other groups of people who had helped the hospital from the beginning.

Mrs Millman added: "I'd like him to be home, as I'm a widow and he's my only son. But I adore him and I'd do anything for him. He's such a loveable creature.

"I'd like to get in contact with Claire and talk to her about what she can expect in Nepal. I'm a pensioner so I can't afford to offer her money, but I want to help in whatever way I can."

Newsdesk