Motor vehicle engineering students are helping to renovate two ambulances, which are to be driven over 3,000 miles to west Africa.

The group of 11 students from West Nottinghamshire College will prepare the vehicles for a 3,390-mile drive across France and Spain into Gibraltar, which will then cross the sea to Tangiers, traversing Morocco and entering the Gambia as part of the Aid2Gambia project.

Led by former police sergeant Mark Hammans, the project aims to provide people in the Gambia with medical supplies, books and stationery – and ambulances are next on his list.

“Once we deliver the ambulances we’re hoping that they will be self-funded and put to great use helping ladies who are in difficult labour get to a safe environment, as the mortality rate there is very poor,” he explained.

“We’ve already driven ambulances to the Gambia before, so we know it can be done. We’re really grateful for the students’ help on the vehicles.”

The ambulances were paid for with fundraising by Aid2Gambia staff, and dropped off at the college for the necessary repairs.

“It’s great to be involved in this project as it’s going to help people less fortunate. It’s something different for us to work on in the engineering workshop,” said level three student Simon Wicks.

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