A shat about charity with a supplier at work will lead a Norwich nurse half way round the world.

Norwich Evening News: Liz Rooney, a sister at surgical outpatients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, who is going out to Uganda to help set up a clinic, as part of the Dominic Community Foundation charity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLiz Rooney, a sister at surgical outpatients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, who is going out to Uganda to help set up a clinic, as part of the Dominic Community Foundation charity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2014)

Liz Rooney, a sister in the surgical outpatients department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is preparing to go a village in Uganda to help set up a school and clinic.

Mrs Rooney, 54, from Hevingham, is going to Malube-Nalubugo to offer her medical expertise in setting up the village's first medical centre.

'It all came about through work,' she said.'Russell Etherington, who supplies the hospital with machinery, sponsors two children in Uganda, and he was talking about this charity he's a trustee of.

'He thought maybe I would like to join them because I run an outpatients centre here, so I'm going from the nurse side of things.

'We have got a piece of land and we're getting a water supply, we just need to do the groundwork first.'

Dominic Community Foundation is a small charity founded by a Ugandan man one of the charity's other trustees had sponsored as a child.

Nicholas Ssewanyana had always wanted to improve healthcare for the people in his rural district and now, thanks to the charity, he has the chance.

'We're taking over some small medical supplies in our suitcases,' she said. 'We are also getting some equipment sent over. It's all equipment no longer in use within the Trust but it still works and has been signed off to go.'

Mrs Rooney, who is also a trustee of the charity will be part of a small team in Uganda helping provide basic clinical treatment and medical advice to families in the village.

'This is a long-term thing, we will keep the fundraising going,' she said. 'It shouldn't be a one-off.'

Mrs Rooney will spent eight days in the area meeting officials and land owners.

For more details, visit dcf.uk.com.

Are you doing voluntary work abroad? Email polly.grice@archant.co.uk.