The expedition to Madagascar by three intrepid Inverness Royal Academy pupils has been backed by Abermed, which has provided all their vital vaccinations and mosquito nets.

They set off on Tuesday for their month-long stay, which will see them trekking through the rainforest and soaking up the culture and diverse landscapes.

Murdo Traill (16), Louise Thompson and Rachael McKenzie (both 17) will also spend a week in the rural community of Fort Dauphin, where they will work with local people to build new facilities to boost its tourism industry.

They plan to build a large information centre out of stone and cement, as well as repairing pitches for camping and building toilets and shower cubicles. They will also hand over teaching materials and sports equipment to the villagers.

To safeguard their health while they are away, industrial and occupational health specialist Abermed has donated vaccines and anti-malarial drugs for the three teenagers, as well as six high-quality mosquito nets.

Its Highlands base at Inverness Business Centre on Stadium Road is a World Health Organisation approved yellow fever vaccination service centre.

Before leaving, Murdo Traill said: "We are very grateful to Abermed for giving us our vaccines and tablets free of charge as it is obviously important to make sure we are fully covered for our travels.

Abermed occupational health nurse advisor Liz Higgins ensures Louise Thompson, right, has all the necessary jabs before setting off for Madagascar with fellow students Murdo Traill, and Rachael McKenzie, at rear.

"We will be in Madagascar from July 1-31 and our first few days will be spent trekking around Ranomafana National Park to help us acclimatise.

"We will then embark on a two-week trek in the south of the island, then we travel south of Ifotaka for the project in the community, which we are all really looking forward to.

"We all enjoy staying active and trekking outdoors and this challenge will help us to gain independence and develop our skills while experiencing a new culture and helping people who are less fortunate than ourselves."

h.bushnell@highland-news.co.uk

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