A ROYAL Navy medic is seeking sponsorship for a voluntary mission which sees him swapping the shores of Plymouth for the mountains of Nepal.

Kevin Mitchell, of Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, is one of 12 members of HMS Ocean taking part in the three-week expedition, which takes place in January.

The 23-year-old former Bury College student joined the Navy four years ago, where he spent a year training to be a medic before being placed on HMS Ocean 18 months ago.

Each member needs to raise £700 for the trip to Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world.

During the trip the group will be teaching English at local schools, providing primary and secondary medical care at Clinic Nepal, assisting with the construction of water wells and houses and helping repair the village generators and farm machinery.

Kevin said: "I know it will be hard work, but it will provide invaluable experience. I treat people every day, but nothing like this. I expect to be dealing with more disease rather than the colds and broken bones."

Clinic Nepal was built in 1997 and has since treated 55,000 people with various conditions and diseases including TB, typhoid, malaria, leprosy and worms. Almost 40 per cent of the cases seen are as a result of poor water, sanitation and hygiene.

A nine-year project will set up 500 water wells and 4,500 sanitation units in the area, which the Royal Navy volunteers will be helping to achieve.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Kevin should contact him on 07971 028758.