DOCTORS patients have been turning gold into water to help save lives in India. Three years ago the Barley Practice and Royston s Market Hill Surgery launched their gold appeal, which asked patients to bring in spare gold items, such as old chains and br

DOCTORS' patients have been turning gold into water to help save lives in India.

Three years ago the Barley Practice and Royston's Market Hill Surgery launched their gold appeal, which asked patients to bring in spare gold items, such as old chains and brooches, earrings, and cufflinks.

This week GP Dr Peter Gough received a cheque for £1,540, the proceeds from about 10 ounces of gold which has been collected, melted down, and sold.

Dr Gough is the founder of the Khandel-light charity, which aids poverty-stricken residents in the Indian state of Rajastan.

The money will be used to provide drinking water.

"This appeal will enable us to provide 616 full tank loads of water, nearly two months' supply," said Dr Gough.

"Without water there will be a lot more illness, a lot more deaths, and a lot more migration to the big cities, with people ending up in dire slums."

The gold appeal was the brainchild of a patient at the surgery, Angela Wilkins, who died two years ago, before the appeal came to an end.

Dr Gough said: "She would have been delighted that there has been such a fantastic response to her initiative.

"We are immensely grateful to Mrs Wilkins for coming up with the scheme."

Khandel-light has been running for eight years, and has just launched a new project, providing drinking water in 25 villages.

For more information, contact Dr Gough on 01763 848244.