As many of you know, I have recently qualified as a registered nurse and in October of this year I will be fortunate enough to be able to join in with an expedition to Tanzania, where we will provide free healthcare to those who are unable to gain access to these services.

This expedition is voluntary work and therefore completely self-funded, so for this reason I am trying to raise money to assist me in affording this experience, and helping to have a positive impact upon peoples lives and health.

As UK citizens who are lucky enough to have the NHS, we often take our health for granted knowing that if we do get ill we can get treatment almost immediately. Unfortunately, in Tanzania they do not have this privilege. Malaria kills more than 1.2 million people a year across the world and yet it is an illness that can be easily prevented or treated.

The expedition is overseen by the charity, Vine Trust. For those who aren't aware, Vine Trust is an international charity based in Edinburgh, that has projects both in Peru and Tanzania. We will travel via boat down Lake Victoria, stopping at different villages to administer all different types of healthcare, depending on their specific needs.

Patients who we will see will come with an array of symptoms including malaria, HIV, STI's, skin infections, thypoid, and injuries including deep cuts. They may also need dental work or eye care as well as antibiotics or medication. There will be a full team on board the boat to make sure that all needs are met.

Expeditions like this are so important. We were lucky enough to be born into a country of wealth, however there are people just like you and me who happen to have been born into poverty and illness. Please help me to help make a difference to the lives of some of these people by donating some money.

Thank you so much!

Ruth x