Medical Laboratory Science students Giselle Dabbs, Ashley Alford and Jessica Adams with Foodbank NT CEO Peter Pilt.

Charles Darwin University students are working to address the current shortage of hand sanitiser, while raising money to help people in need in the Northern Territory.

Medical Laboratory Science students from the College of Health and Human Sciences are working to make batches of hand sanitiser in the labs to distribute to the university community.

College Manager Gus Diaz said the community would be asked for a gold coin donation for the sanitiser with the funds going to Foodbank NT.

“The students wanted to be involved in helping the community,” he said. “This will also be a practical experience for the students in how to use chemicals and work safely in a laboratory setting.”

He said it was a great way to get the students to use their skills to create practical solutions to issues facing the community.

First year Medical Laboratory Science student Jessica Adams said making hand sanitiser was a way the students could help relieve the shortage.

“We are not creating a vaccine, but it is something we can do to help, even at this micro-scale,” Jessica said.

“It has also been a great way to practise our lab skills, learn how to use equipment and conduct research into ensuring the hand sanitiser will work correctly.”