Ref. 72764-41A YOUNG physiotherapist is heading for the gateway to the Himalayas to help the people of Kathmandu.

But Claire Lawton needs £2,000 to get to Nepal and she's hoping Swindon people and firms will pay for her trip.

Claire, 28, of Washpool in Shaw, was an office worker before deciding to train as a physiotherapist.

She qualified last month, and wants to gain experience as well as broadening her horizons by immersing herself in another culture.

From January, she plans to spend two months in the Nepalese city, and hopes the experience she gains from her travelling will help her in the job market when she returns.

It was while surfing the internet in search of something suitable that Claire found the website of Teaching and Projects abroad, an organisation specialising in sending professionals to work in Nepal.

If Claire manages to raise the money for her travel and associated costs, she will be based full-time from January to March at the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children in Kathmandu.

The hospital is a non-governmental facility which provides help for children.

During her stay, Claire intends to live with a Nepalese family.

She said: "The hospital relies heavily on volunteers from overseas.

"But doesn't have sufficient funds to support them.

"That is why I need help with raising the money from Swindon people to get there."

Barrie Hudson