AN aspiring mental health nurse from Whitley is hoping to use her past experience with mental health to help others across the world.

Hayley Timmis is in her second year of training and has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Vietnam and learn about the challenges people face when reaching out for healthcare.

To do this, she needs the community's help in raising £3,000 to fund her trip.

The 26-year-old said: "My passion is nursing and caring and helping others and I believe in order to become the best possible nurse you need as much experience as possible and in as many different settings and cultures as possible.

"I believe by taking part in this three-week placement I will be equipped with both new skills and life enhancing credentials which will contribute to helping not only the NHS here but also health care across the world."

Part of Hayley's mission is to help those who suffer from mental health issues after she was able to overcome her own.

She explained: "I have suffered from depression and anxiety from the age of 19 and have battled daily to get to where I am now.

"Some days felt intolerable, being combined to four walls on a day to day basis I can only explain as torture.

"I am fortunate enough to say I won the battle and I want every single person who feels the way I did to get to the place in which they feel a sense of purpose within themselves again.

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"This is absolutely achievable with the right support."

In February, Hayley will be climbing Snowdon in return for donations.

Any money raised will go towards flights, immunisations and accommodation in Vietnam and Work the world, a company providing placements abroad.

To donate to Hayley's trip, visit gofundme.com/jfsj78-help-me-get-to-vietnam