TOOWOOMBA woman Lyndal Maxwell has shown the true meaning of friendship.

After qualifying as a radiologist at the Toowoomba Hospital 11 years ago, Ms Maxwell packed her bags and pursued her life's calling.

She worked in a hospital in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador for five years before moving to Peru to work in a hospital helping the “poorest of the poor”.

While working there she befriended local woman, Augustina Buezo. Tragically Ms Buezo died after a car accident, leaving behind six sons.

Ms Maxwell was touched by their plight and adopted the six brothers.

“It was something close to my heart,” she said.

“The boys have no father and in Peru the orphanages are separated by age so they would have had to split up.

“Under different circumstances that could have been me.”

Ms Maxwell, who is now 30, was adopted as a young child after being abandoned at birth.

She will be holding a high tea fund-raiser at Preston Manor on Sunday, July 24 with food, entertainment, stalls and some amazing stories from her travels.

Funds raised will go to the hospital in Peru. For more information call 46134000.