A ROOFER from Newport will be heading out to Nepal to help in the massive rebuilding of the country following last year’s earthquake.
Matt Leppard, of Linden Road, has volunteered to join the charity, Raleigh International Trust, to work on a community project in the rural village of Gorkha, an area in which 85 per cent of homes were affected by the quake.
The 21 year old, who has already done training in preparation for the three-month adventure in February, will be doing some construction work, as well as having the opportunity to trek in the Himalayan foothills and experience living with a Nepali family and local culture.
Matt, who attended Carisbrooke High School, needs to raise £800 to be able to go and has appealed to people to give generously on his JustGiving page.
"Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and I want to do something worthwhile — to make a difference," he said.
"I would particularly like to work with children and I’d be happy to do some practical building. This is something I feel I need to do as a life experience.
"I will need help to raise the money, however, which is only about ten per cent of the overall cost, with the other 90 per cent funded by the government."
The Raleigh International Trust is a sustainable development charity, whose work focuses on three key areas — providing access to safe water and sanitation, protecting vulnerable environments and building people’s livelihoods.
To make a donation to Matt’s fundraising campaign, go to tinyurl.com/IWCP-JGNT

Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk