Wirral nurses go on lifetime trip to Africa to help improve its medical facilities in village

Nov 16 2011 by Linda Foo Guest, Heswall News

TWO Wirral nurses have embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa to help improve medical facilities.

Nina Crombie and Chris Howell will spend two weeks in the Kenyan village of Makongeni.

Nina works as a practice nurse at Wallasey Medical Centre and Chris works at Claughton Medical Centre.

The pair flew out last Friday as part of a healthcare outreach programme run by Camps International.

Chris, 51, from Spital, Šis married to Brian and they have two grown up children.

Mum-of-two, Nina, 46, from Prenton, hopes the trip will put her life back into perspective.

Nina, who has been in the medical profession for 30 years, told the News: “I decided to do the trip because it is the opportunity of a life time and I wanted to give something back. We all enjoy our jobs and are lucky so it’s nice to do something for people who have very little.

“There is a new medical clinic been built in the village and we are there to support the local medical practitioners.”

Nina added: “I planned to do the trip in 2010 but it has taken so long to gather the money together.

“I raised £2,000 through Liverpool Santa Dash, raffles, book stalls in the surgery which patients have fully supported and donations. Local businesses have also kindly donated raffle items.

“I have £600 left over which will be given to the clinic and local school. We have all had to take some of our holiday entitlement and take unpaid leave for the trip.”