An eating challenge with a difference has been completed by an Amersham man raising awareness of poverty in Kenya.

Tom Staite set himself the task of getting through a week with a food budget of just £1 a day, being sponsored for his ordeal to raise money for a project that helps people in the poverty-stricken African nation.

The 22-year-old will travel to Nakuru in Kenya in the new year for ten weeks to work as a volunteer with the International Citizen Service Entrepreneur programme to tackle some of the problems facing people.

He said: "Taking part in my own ‘Live Below the Line’ sponsorship challenge is a way of making sure developing countries can continue to benefit from the work of future volunteers, so it’s vital I reach my target.

"Having spent £4.37 on food to last five days, I have been carefully planning my meals and ingredients to last. On most days, lunch was egg-fried rice simply made with 100g rice and two eggs. I couldn’t afford milk for my porridge oats or cups of tea.

"On Thursday I cracked and spent my remaining 63p on a pack of reduced crumpets at Tesco.

"As well as being frustrating at times, the challenge has been eye-opening for me, as I’ve learnt so much about the pricing of food and how to invent cheap meals. The support and sponsorship so far has been fantastic and I’m hoping everyone will give generously as a result of my effort."

Mr Staite added: "The project I’m working on is run by the development charity Balloon Ventures, an award winning social enterprise working with entrepreneurs in the developing world and funding businesses that create jobs and change lives. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside people from a different culture who have requested help from young volunteers to fight poverty and make a difference where it’s needed most. I’m really excited to get out there."

To sponsor him go to www.justgiving.com/TomStaite, or to find out more about ICS visit www.volunteerics.org.