|PIC1|It is not common to hear of a father and his 20-year-old daughter travelling to Africa to help save the lives of the world’s poorest people - but that is exactly what Paul Herbert and his daughter Rebekah did.

Father and daughter have recently returned home to Gloucester from Benin where they have been volunteering onboard the Africa Mercy, the World’s largest hospital ship – and an extra special Father’s Day is planned.

Paul, Managing Director for his own company, Manor Interim Executive, said he and his daughter were so moved by the stories they heard from their wife, Ali, had been volunteering with Mercy Ships as a theatre nurse on the Africa Mercy for the last six months.

“Rebekah and I decided to volunteer together - I worked in the transportation department, fixing engines and Rebekah worked in the kitchen, cooking and preparing food for the 450 volunteers," he said.

"What is so special about Mercy Ships is that regardless of age, skills or views, anyone can contribute and that was why Rebekah and I could do this together.

"The ship is magnificent and requires volunteers with many different skills to maintain it, as well as the medical volunteers to carry out the life saving work.

“Volunteering and setting out on this adventure with Rebekah was a wonderful and unforgettable experience that we will both cherish.”

Mercy Ships is an international charity that provides free medical and humanitarian care to the world’s poorest people.

Rebekah, currently studying Sports Education at Gloucester University, said: “Volunteering with dad and seeing mum, who has been on the ship since January this year, was an amazing experience and I am so thankful that I have been able to share it with them.

"What was most astounding about the whole experience was seeing first hand the lives changed by Mercy Ships.

"Seeing people arrive at the ship blind but leave being able to see, or watching children who couldn’t walk properly because of club feet go home running like other children – it was overwhelming."

Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK said volunteers were "very precious" to the organisation.

"It is their dedication and hard work that makes it possible for Mercy Ships to help improve the lives of so many," she said.

Over the last 30 years Mercy Ships, has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than £350million.

Mercy Ships has treated more than 230,000 people in village medical clinics, performed more than 35,000 surgeries, 190,000 dental treatments and completed over 950 construction and agricultural projects, including schools, clinics, orphanages and water wells.


On the web: www.mercyships.org.uk