STUDENT nurses are hoping to make a difference to dozens of people’s lives when they head to Asia as part of their training.

Erin Rose and Michelle Campbell, who are currently taking part in a placement at Great Western Hospital, will be flying out to Sri Lanka in September to help out in the hospital.

The University of the West of England students, who are in their second year, will be helping out for a month and are looking for sponsorship to help pay for travel and vaccinations.

Erin, 20, of Toothill, said: “When we go out there we will be nursing in a hospital in Kandy. We will be doing placements in cardiology and respiratory work.

“It is for us to gain experience to become nurses and it is recognised when we qualify.

“We chose to do our placement there to get the knowledge and experience and be completely aware.

“Neither of us have ever done anything like this before.”

Michelle, 27, of Brize Norton, and Erin, who will have just started their third year when they set off, will be staying in a house with students from across the world.

Students studying nursing, midwifery and dentistry from countries including Argentina and America will be staying in the house with them.

“We are really looking forward to it, we can’t wait,” said Erin.

“There are different things we will do. There will be lots of different experiences and we get to work with doctors and nurses out there.

“It’s stuff we haven’t come across before in our training like malaria, HIV and different types of trauma.”

The pair have been taking part in placements at Great Western Hospital for three weeks but they have previously done placements in other hospitals too.

The nurses are looking for people to sponsor them to help pay for the trip.

“Anything will help. It will pay for travel and vaccinations,” said Erin.

If you would like to sponsor Erin and Michelle, please email erinrose33@hotmail.

com.