C-FAR trainee Stuart Lawley has embarked on an humanitarian mission to the Gaza Strip delivering aid to Palestinian refugees.

Stuart, who is on the Life Change programme with the Centre for Adolescent Rehabilitation in Highampton, completed his eleven-week residential course in December.

Now, along with Surgeon David Halpin, who is a mentor with C-FAR, and two other supporters, he has started the 3,000-mile journey on the Danish registered cargo ship, the Barbara.

Stuart took up the challenge voluntarily after an appeal from Dr Halpin was received by C-FAR?s chief executive Trevor Philpott.

Stuart is currently undergoing the nine-month Throughcare Programme, where his focus is on inclusion within society.

His journey is taking him into one of the world?s most tense war zones. He will travel with fellow supporters to Ashdod in Israel where Israeli transport will take them and the aid, which includes 40 tonnes of flour, oil, dried milk and clothing, to Palestinians living in desperate conditions in the Gaza Strip.

C-FAR is a registered charity. It reaps its funding from trusts, private donations and the European Social Fund.

Since its first location at the Army camp in Okehampton, 131 trainees have entered the programme. New premises were obtained at Burdon Grange in Highampton, and it has raised more than £3.3-million.

It costs £1.3-million a year to put 84 trainees through the programme ? a saving to the Government of £5-million a year.