I was devastated by the news of the Nepal Earthquake. In 2008 I spent time volunteering in Nepal at a rural village school and a local village medical Centre south of Kathmandu.

I also saw first hand the wonderful work the Gurkha Welfare Trust do in Nepal as I trekked with the team to visit a remote mountain school that was to receive one of the charity's school rebuilding grants. Since then Nepal and its people have always been in my heart.

I have friends there and I sponsor the education of a child who lost her mother at a young age. I have luckily heard that my friends are safe but one has lost her house and is living in a tent. She has 2 small children to care for.

I felt helpless to the plight of the people of Nepal and knew I had to do something to help. So I am living for a week below the poverty line spending just £1 per day on food to raise money for the vital work of the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

I have already managed to raise over £1,200 in just a few days. Donations can be made on www.justgiving.com/julia-poulter Based on information supplied by Julia Poulter.