Medics holding fundraiser ahead of life-saving trip to India.

A team of volunteers, including doctors and nurses from South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, is to travel to Walawalkar Hospital, in Dervan, India.

They are part of the SVJC Trust, which has enabled 2,000 operations to be carried out on people in what is one of the poorest areas of India. This is the group’s 12th trip.

They provide essential healthcare during an intensive week there to people who might otherwise have been unable to access it.

Dr Sanjay Deshpande, consultant anaesthetist at South Tyneside District Hospital, had the original idea for the mission.

The Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Coun Alan Smith and Coun Moira Smith, will be guests of honour at the fundraiser, at Gateshead’s Caedmon Hall on Friday, November 25.

Dr Deshpande said: “It has been incredibly rewarding to be able to save lives and to help people achieve better, pain-free lives – often through what would be considered in this country, relatively simple operations.

“We have also helped with the development of the staff and facilities at Walawalkar Hospital so it is now much better equipped to serve the community.”

The fundraiser starts at 7.30pm, with live music provided by The Spiral Kings.

Tickets, including a hot buffet and raffle ticket, cost £15. To buy them, email [email protected]. Anyone interested in making a financial contribution, or in donating books, clothing and equipment for the volunteers to take, should call 0191 2024046 or 07921 560551.