A FUNDRAISER is raising money for a "forgotten country" to try and get a school rebuilt.

Avryl Donovan of Broadway set up a charity called Laos Educational Trust" in 2010, helping to raise money to help disadvantaged children in poor villages in Laos, a country in South East Asia near Thailand.

The charity is currently supporting 13 children, five of whom are now at technical college and four more taking exams this summer.

Ms Donovan goes out to Laos in most years and is now hoping to raise £40,000 for a school to be rebuilt.

She said: "I have known most of these children since they were 11 years old and they have had to work under very difficult conditions.

"We have the first one leaving this year to get a job in IT. I go out to Laos most years and have visited these children and their families several times, also their schools.

"Money is raised through sponsors and fund-raising activities.

"I have also just started a fund to raise money to have a school rebuilt in one of the poor villages which would, of course, help all the children in their village. This would cost approximately £40,000.

"I first went out to Laos in 2009 and visited several of the very poor villages and was very concerned at the poverty.

"We hear about India, Africa, Vietnam and other poor countries but I call Laos 'the forgotten country'.

"I first raised money to have toilets built at one of the village schools and the following year decided to help some of these very poor and bright children continue their education."

To help, Info@laoseducationaltrust.co.uk or telephone number 01386 853710