THREE members of staff from Basingstoke hospital will head to Nepal to help the victims of the earthquake.

Priya Rai, Shanti Pun and Sabita Limbu, who are all Nepalese, are funding their own travel costs to visit remote areas of the country, to support the relief efforts following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which hit the capital Kathmandu and its surrounding areas on April 25, claiming the lives of more than 8,000 people.

It was followed by a large number of aftershocks, including one that measured 7.3 on May 12.

They will be part of a team of 10 nurses and doctors who will join more than 20 others who have already travelled to Nepal from the south east of England in the last two weeks, to work in remote villages where help has to come on foot, after landslides closed off routes for vehicles.

Nurse Limbu said she is nervous but knows that the help she can provide could save lives, adding: "It is such a huge disaster for Nepal. We know we will not be able to help everyone, but we want to come back having made a difference to the lives of the people we can help during our short stay.

"We are hoping to raise awareness about health, such as wound care and hygiene, especially the importance of cleanliness in food and drinking water by taking precautions to avoid the spread of infection."

The team will also support local aid workers, giving guidance on life-saving skills such as CPR for adults and children.

A fundraising day was held at Basingstoke hospital, in Aldermaston Road, to generate funds to go towards vital medical supplies for the team to use in Nepal.

A total of £1,600 was raised in donations from a cake sale, with sweet treats baked by a group of junior doctors, and Nepalese food prepared by staff.