A FORMER Stourport High School pupil has helped raise more than £1,000 to help Nepalese people affected by a devastating earthquake.

Wailo Li, along with sponsors and volunteers from the Project TOM charity she founded seven years ago, collected £1,348 in support of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

On April 25 this year, a huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, affecting eight million people and leaving many of them homeless.

This was compounded less than a month later when a second 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the country, causing more devastation. More than 8,700 have been confirmed dead.

Since the disaster struck, DEC member agencies and their partners have worked urgently to provide emergency shelter, food, clean water and blankets.

Once immediate, life-saving needs are met they will work with individuals, families and communities to support them to rebuild their lives.

Communications manager Miss Li, aged 31, founded Project TOM in her spare time in 2008. The organisation encourages more young people into charity work and volunteers get together several times a year to fundraise and support charities and projects around the world.

To date, they have raised over £43,900.00 GBP for charitable causes both at home and abroad, with over 58,500 beneficiaries.

Miss Li said: “We are delighted to be able to support DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal and pleased to have been able to help in this small way - a massive well done to everyone involved.

“We would also like to give thanks to our corporate donors including Birmingham's Cafe Soya Restaurant Group, Chung Ying Restaurant Group and Midland Linen Services.

“We're incredibly grateful for their long-term support with our charity events and worthy causes around the world.”

More information can be found on Project TOM can be found at www.project-tom.org.uk