A CONTAINER with much-needed medical supplies is ready to be sent to Afghanistan as part of a mission to continue the work of a murdered doctor.

The Comet: The container being readied for shipping at the docks in SouthamptonThe container being readied for shipping at the docks in Southampton (Image: Archant)

Dr Karen Woo, 36, was shot by Taliban insurgents while taking medical aid to remote villages in the war-torn country in August 2010.

The former St Nicholas and Barclay School pupil, who grew up in Stevenage, had been organising the transportation of medical supplies from the UK when she was killed.

The goods were sent to Afghanistan a year after Dr Woo’s death with the help of family and friends, who have now organised the shipment of a second container.

The project has been overseen by the Karen Woo Foundation, a charity set up in the doctor’s honour, and co-ordinated by her friends Mike King and Clive O’Sullivan.

Dr Woo’s mother Lynn, who still lives in Stevenage and is a charity trustee, admitted it had been a struggle.

“It’s great that it’s finally being sent out,” said Mrs Woo.

“Karen as a doctor herself was horrified about how little the hospitals had to manage with so she started organising the first container. I think she would be pleased with what we have achieved as she was very frustrated about the difficulties in getting the first container out.

“It’s taken a very determined Mike King and those around him to make it happen and we are particularly thankful to the Army groups that have helped us. We have also had a lot of support from people in Stevenage and we are very grateful for that.”

A purpose-built portable office has been adapted to ship the goods, which include 11 boxes of medical supplies, computers, work clothes and cricket equipment.

After being loaded in Harlow, Essex, the container has already made its way with the help of two Army regiments to a Berkshire distribution centre in Slough, and is now at the docks in Southampton ready for shipping.

From there, it will be loaded on to a ship and sailed to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, before being airlifted to Kabul in Afghanistan for distribution with the help of fellow charity Afgan Action.

For more information about the work of the Karen Woo Foundation visit www.karenwoofoundation.org