A Hawick dentist and his wife, a dental nurse, are aiming to raise £5,000 to enable them to go to Tanzania to help train local health workers.
Ian and Gillian McInnes, who work at North Bridge Dental Clinic, will fly out in August 2015 for two weeks, working with charity Bridge2Aid.
Gillian said: “The way they work is brilliant because they send teams of dentists and dental nurses out to train local health workers in emergency treatment and they continue the work once you leave, so it is an entirely sustainable system of getting healthcare to people who need it the most.
“The trainees will also learn about infection control and how to sterilise instruments with the very basic equipment they have, often only a pressure cooker and a small gas burner.”
In Africa, Ian and Gillian will work as part of a larger team, including experienced volunteers and interpreters.
Gillian added: “We are particularly keen as a practice, once Ian and I have been, that other members of staff maybe go out and volunteer too.
“We see this as a long-term commitment, where we focus our fundraising activities in one direction and really make a difference.”
The practice has a range of fundraising events planned, including Gillian and Ian organising a pop-up restaurant in their Jedburgh home.
To donate, visit www.northbridgedental.co.uk