Doctors from West Herts hospitals flew to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake which struck in April claiming more than 10,000 lives and injuring around 50,000 people.

Physician assistant Reskaji Gurung and Dr Amrit Gurung, flew out on May 2 as part of a team of 20 doctors supported by UK charity Health Exchange Nepal (HexN UK) to help care for the injured.

Mr Gurung said: "I was there for two weeks, helping to set up clinics and treat patients with minor injuries and illnesses.

"We also were able to provide drugs including painkillers and antibiotics which we had brought with us. The devastation was shocking and we wanted to do everything we could to help."

In the meantime back home, a number of fundraising initiatives were launched by some of the hospitals' staff who have connections with Nepal - including doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and other support staff.

Dr Mohan Thapa, clinical director of Watford General’s acute admissions unit, who has been actively involved with HexN for some time, said: "The charity was set up to promote the exchange of health professionals and medical knowledge between Nepal and the UK, but when the earthquake struck we immediately started a fundraising drive which has now raised more than £100,000.

"As part of our ongoing fundraising drive, HexN UK launched our ‘No Socks Rocks’ campaign, which encourages people not to wear socks and donate money to the charity.

"I would like to thank our chief executive Jac Kelly and deputy chief executive Lynn Hill, who agreed to take part in the campaign, and help raise the profile of the charity among staff and local residents."