LIVING below the poverty line is not a choice for many people.

But Laura Oakley, 26, is willingly taking on the challenge of spending just £1 a day on food and drink for five days to raise awareness and funds to help end extreme poverty.

Laura, the former deputy head girl at Sholing Technology College, is taking on the nationwide challenge known as Live Below the Line until Thursday.

Funds will be raised for international organisation Health Poverty Action, where Laura works as a communications officer.

Laura, who has raised money for Raleigh International, led a trek across the Great Wall of China to raise funds for Childreach International and fundraised for her parents’ charity Myositis UK, said: “Through my work at Health Poverty Action I see how living below the poverty line is having a devastating effect on people’s health.

"I want to lead from the front and take on this challenge in the hope it might inspire others to fundraise on behalf of the organisation I’m proud to work for.

"I’m not averse to fundraising challenges, but have a feeling this might be my toughest one yet!”

Laura will be joined by three other colleagues who have all decided to take on the challenge two weeks ahead of the official challenge week from April 27 in order to lead from the front and inspire others to fundraise on behalf of Health Poverty Action.

She added: “Every item is accounted for – from a tablespoon of oil to a pinch of salt. Sharing resources in a team like this has made it a little easier – but it’s still very bland food. Think porridge with water, and rice and beans!”

Sponsor Laura by visiting livebelowtheline.com/me/oakleydoakley. To sign up to the challenge go F to: healthpovertyaction.org.