Doctor flies off to help Syrian refugees in Greece before climbing Kilimanjaro - The Solihull Observer

Doctor flies off to help Syrian refugees in Greece before climbing Kilimanjaro

Solihull Editorial 23rd Jul, 2017   0

A DOCTOR is to provide humanitarian medical aid to Syrian refugees in Greece – before climbing Kilimanjaro to help provide lifesaving water to African communities.
Vikas Sandoo goes to Greece this weekend and will be reflecting on his journey with regular blogs and social media posts – providing the perspective of the refugee and the aid worker though video and photography.
Then in December, the 30-year-old from Stoke Green, Coventry, will climb Kilimanjaro to raise £12,000 for the charity Penny Appeal to help build two deep water wells in Gambia. He met his initial £10,000 target in just 8 weeks of setting up a justgiving fundraising page.
Dr Sandoo quotes the phrase: “We rise and learn to grow as human beings by lifting up others when they need us most.”
Of the work in Greece, he said one of his key aims was to encourage more people from all backgrounds and professions to work as volunteers.
The nine-day trek up Africa’s highest free-standing mountain will raise money for the thirst relief campaign, which provides clean water to poor rural communities across the world, giving them safe water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, water for their crops and animals.
Of his gruelling training schedule, he told the Coventry Observer: “My first practice session was a harrowing experience, as I encountered a 42-year-old man without a pulse near the summit of mount Snowdon in freezing cold and rainy conditions.
“After assessing him I commenced CPR for 50 minutes and utilized four other helpers. The weather made it difficult for the helicopter to land. I handed over to the mountain rescue team. I am not sure if he survived but I have messaged the mountain rescue team to see if they can give me more information on his outcome.
“I am very excited, I am fully aware this will be an incredible challenge, 19,000 ft is no easy task. My biggest worry is altitude sickness.
“One cannot really know how your body will respond at such high altitude. I am hoping my training will keep me in good shape.”
He adds on his blog page: “The world is going through a difficult time, my life experiences so far have made me realise the world is full of compassionate people from all different backgrounds, and together we can all do our bit to spread positivity and hope to help make the world a better place for everyone.”
Dr Sandoo says future projects may also include a charity football tournament in Coventry, and regular street collections in the Coventry region.
Dr Sandoo studied graduate entry Medicine and Surgery at the University of Leicester qualifying in 2012. His first degree was Physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham, where he also completed a masters.
You can follow his activities on his Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/DrVWSandoo786/

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Vikas-Waqaas-Sandoo

Instagram: drvwsandoo786




 


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