A TEENAGE charity volunteer has died during a trek in India.

 

Niamh Campbell, understood to be from Clackmannanshire, had been working with the Project Trust teaching English, maths and science at a school in Bangalore since last August.

The charity said the 19-year-old fell ill during an organised trek near Manali in the north of the country. She was taken to hospital but later died.

The walk was being led by "an experienced guide from a reputable company which specialises in trekking in the region", the Project Trust said.

Senior representatives from the charity have travelled to India to provide support to Ms Campbell's family and other volunteers.

Project Trust chief executive Ingrid Emerson said: "Niamh was a lovely girl and an impressive and committed teacher, always hard-working and considerate of others.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family and her fellow volunteers, and our priority now is to provide them with whatever support we can."

Based on the Isle of Coll, the Project Trust organises overseas volunteering placements for school-leavers. Around 300 people from across the UK are selected each year for 12-month teaching and social care projects in Africa, Asia and the South America.

Ms Campbell had written of her experiences on social media and in her most recent post sent on Sunday after visiting Udaipur, she said she had not been feeling well.

In December, she said her first three months had been the hardest after her gran and grandfather both died while she was away.

She wrote then: "So, the first three months here have been spent getting used to this completely new, different and strange country that is India. Getting used to the people, the culture, the food, the heat, the traffic, the shops, everything.

"I've also had to learn how to be a teacher, to discipline classes, to avoid getting snot on my hand from four-year-olds, to teach maths, to teach rather complicated grammar, to try not to pass out when teaching Ceilidh dancing to 8th standard. It's been a challenge. But that was what Project Trust said to expect.

"I'm determined to finish my year, enjoy every moment and every little thing, have a lot of fun and be happy."

Tributes have been paid to Ms Campbell on social media.

Reegan Thomson wrote: "Thoughts are with the Campbell family, RIP Niamh."

Scotland's International Development Minister Humza Yousaf tweeted: "Deeply saddened hear of death of Scottish aid worker Niamh Campbell volunteer with @ProjectTrustUK in India (sic).

"Condolences to family & friends."