AN Old Trafford firm has helped a student doctor from Urmston to conduct valuable work on a Caribbean island.

PHMG Foundation, the charity arm of Manchester firm PH Media Group, donated £3,000 to enable student doctor Olivia Ward from Urmston conduct valuable work in St Vincent.

Olivia Ward, a student at the University of Leicester, set off on March 30 to volunteer at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for six weeks.

Undertaking the work as part of her final year medical placement, Olivia is lending her expertise to paediatrics – the field she would like to specialise in – and also working in accident and emergency.

Olivia, aged 22, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a big difference to people who live in a country where some specialist equipment and medicine isn’t readily available,” said Olivia.

“I’m particularly looking forward to working with the children over there as paediatrics is my specialist focus. Working with children can be really hard as it’s very easy to get emotionally involved in each case you see, however it also makes the job that much more rewarding.

“I’m really looking forward to my time at the hospital.”

The contribution from PHMG Foundation will be split between purchasing medical equipment to check patients’ hearing and Olivia’s accommodation.

Chris Berisford, trustee of the PHMG Foundation, said: “The bulk of patients there live below the poverty line, meaning health insurance or private care is unavailable.

“This is why we invested in Olivia and the hospital and we’re hoping our efforts can make a difference to both patients and medical staff.”

Each year, staff from PH Media Group take part in events to raise money for a number of charitable organisations.

The company has raised more than £100,000 for good causes since establishing its own charity, the PHMG Foundation, in 2013, with more than £50,000 being donated in 2015.

Olivia will be blogging during her time in St Vincent. To follow her progress, visit http://blog.phmg.com/category/csr/