SHE has a heart of gold and has devoted the last month helping the people of earthquake torn Nepal.

Romsey's Beth Halford founded the Himalayan People's Project now a registered charity that has more than £22,000 in its pot to help Nepal's suffering after the two major earth tremors that shook the region in late April and earlier this month.

Now she is preparing to talk about her experiences in the Nepalese disaster zone. The 30-year-old physiotherapist who had been out in Nepal since October last year helping with eduction and healthcare projects, is staging 'A Story of The Great Quake' at Romsey's Crosfield Hall on June 1 at 7.30pm.

Beth was in Kathmandu when the first quake, which killed more than 8,000 people and injured around 19,000 struck on April 25 and she said: "My talk will give a first hand account of the moment the earthquake struck, the aftermath and the relief efforts that followed. People can hear all about the reality of experiencing such a terrifying event followed by the challenges of living in the aftermath of such a disaster whilst trying to provide aid to those who need it most."

Beth said she founded the Himalayan People's Project more than a year ago after she was inspired by the work of other charities she had done voluntary work for. in Nepal, India and Vietnam.

"We were already operational in Nepal prior to the earthquake having helped a hostel for children with disabilities in Kathmandu and about to start work on building a hostel for children attending a school in Rolwaling Valley in the mountains near Tibet, " said Beth adding that when the quake hit the project had to be put on hold.

She added that all efforts were than concentrated on helping raise cash for the desperate victims of the disasters.

"All current projects were put on hold with our attention turning to raising funds through our earthquake appeal (www.hppnepal.com/earthquake-appeal-1.html. Approximately half the funds have already been used to fund a local initiative at Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu helping them provide over 800 families with life-saving shelter, rice, dal, salt and cooking oil while the rest is being saved to help rebuild the homes of Rolwaling Valley in the Dolakha district which was at the centre of the second earthquake where the death toll was highest and damage widespread," said Beth adding that tremor was a terrifying experience.

"It was extremely scary and the after shocks continued for days." concluded the ex-Romsey School pupil who lives with her mum Sue and stepdad Jeff Wiles.

Beth's talk is free to go along to but donations are welcome.