A TEENAGE charity volunteer has won a work experience placement at a hospital in Jerusalem.

Lauren Wilkinson, 19, of Stanley, will visit the St John Eye Hospital, which traces its roots to a hospital built in the city by monks in the 11th century.

She will be joined by Sheila Thorpe, her unit manager at St John Ambulance and spend ten days experiencing the work of the hospital in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

To secure the placement, Miss Wilkinson wrote an essay on “Diversity and Equality” and attended an interview with members of the St John Durham Priory Group and Durham Knights Templar, a major donor of the Eye Hospital and funders of the trip.

The health and social care student at Derwentside College said: “I’m really pleased and excited to be going, it’s such a good opportunity because I want to be a paramedic.”

The charity is looking for more volunteers and an event for youngsters aged seven to 17 is being held on Monday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Communal Lounge, Hartley Terrace, Spennymoor DL16 6DU.

For more information, visit www.sja.org.uk/youthroles, email youthleaders@sja.org.uk or call 0121-392-6500.