Symington dentistry student Anita Mathew swaps Clydesdale for Peru

However, toothache and other oral disease is just as much a painful ordeal for the young folk of that South American nation as it is for the kids of Symington, something one very talented young villager is more than aware of.

She is 21-year-old Anita Mathew of Kirk Place, currently in her fourth year of Dentistry at Glasgow University.

No-one is more aware than she is of the privilege – albeit a hard-earned one – of having a place at such an internationally prestigious place of learning.

That is why Anita – with a bit of help from Gazette readers – will be helping those far less fortunate than her by giving up her summer holidays this year to travel thousands of miles to deliver free dentistry treatment to underprivileged children in one of Peru’s most deprived cities, Trujillo.

The former Biggar High School pupil explains of her June mission: “The personal cost of flights, accommodation, vaccinations and insurance is approximately £1700 each and it is totally self-funded with me managing this with help from my family and from my savings.

“However, we’re trying to raise some money to buy the supplies which we need to take out to Peru and I was hoping Gazette readers may be in a position to help with this via financial donations or by donating equipment.”

For more on this story pick up a copy of the Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.