'I want to do all I can' (From Gazette & Herald)

'I want to do all I can'

A RYEDALE student was so moved by experiences working in a psychiatric hospital in Calcutta that he has set up a UK support group to raise money for the poor and destitute there.

Tim Lawes, a former pupil of Malton School, from Settrington, has set up the Friends of Antara UK.

"I spent six months over there during a gap year in my studies but I was so struck by the work there I wanted to do something when I came home," he said.

Antara Hospital was set up in 1971 by Mother Theresa and a group of doctor volunteers.

"India does not have adequate provision for people with mental illnesses, and they are often thrown into jail because no one knows what to do with them," says Tim.

"These people are often taken into Antara for treatment, but there are also alcoholics and drug addicts.

"The work I was doing involved taking part in therapy sessions, playing music and helping the patients with craft work.

"Later on I became involved in travelling out to rural areas and helping to distribute medicine to outpatients.

"I made lots of friends out there among the staff and the patients and I was desperate to do something to help."

Tim, who has just completed an art foundation course at York College, is hoping to go to university later this year.

"I'm hoping to go back out there, at some point but in the meantime I want to do all I can to raise money for Antara," he said.

"I'm hoping other volunteers who have been out there will help out as well.

"They need money to set up a rehabilitation centre for destitute patients who have nowhere to go when they are discharged from Antara."

If you would like to help Tim, you can contact him at the following email address: fauk@siac.org.uk

Updated: 10:42 Saturday, June 08, 2002