MOST young people do not look much further than their hometown when it comes to gaining work placements in their chosen career.

But these two aspiring medics are spending part of their summer break in Thailand to gain the valuable experience they need to pursue their ambitions to become doctors.

Seventeen-year-olds Katie Nightingale and Sarah Richards are self-funding the trip and are holding a fundraiser tonight towards the £2,500 needed per person to spend two weeks in the country, which is more popular with backpackers and holidaymakers than those seeking to further their aspirations.

Sarah, who lives in Heaton, said: “We have done work experience here but because of health and safety we didn’t get as much out of it as we wanted.

“We had heard of students going abroad and did a search on the internet, and decided on Thailand, where we will have a chance to do more.

“Medicine is so competitive. It will be good experience and something that we can talk about at university.”

Katie, who lives in Swinton, said: “We are both aspiring doctors.

“We are searching for a new challenge and medical experience, and we hope Thailand will teach us both a lot about the world of medicine.

“We will spend two weeks there, working in different departments and observing medical procedures.”

The two Bolton School students will fly out in August for two weeks through an organisation which helps students gain placements abroad.

Katie added: “We have both wanted to be doctors for a long time. We both volunteer and this is another way of helping people. It will be really interesting.”

The fundraising event will take place in the Holiday Inn Bolton and the two girls, thanks to support from family, friends and businesses have managed to secure prizes including a signed Wayne Rooney shirt, gym passes, Champagne, overnight stays in hotels and much more.

There will also be disco and DJ.

The event starts at 7pm and tickets are £8 and available on the door.