A former Monmouth Comprehensive School pupil will be doing her bit for charity this spring.

Sophie Williams, of Monmouth, will be raising funds for high school education in Ecuador via the Global Vision International (GVI) Charitable Trust, a charity that aims to improve quality of life through education.

The 27-year-old got involved with GVI when she graduated from university.

Sophie said: "It was the best decision I ever made.

"I have had such fantastic experiences, meeting and working with children and families, learning about different ways of life and different cultures."

She completed voluntary work with indigenous communities in Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and Peru on and off for three years and wanted to do something to help that would be a real challenge.

Having never previously done any running, she decided to train to take part in the St David's Day 10k run.

Along with friends Gemma Bulter and Rachel Parkin, Sophie completed the run in Bute Park, Cardiff, last Sunday (6th March) in just over an hour and has raised £862 so far.

"We have had fantastic support and would like to thank everybody who sponsored us," said Sophie.

"We would also like to thank Caitlin Lewis who helped fundraise."

Every penny donated to the cause will help give children graduating from primary school the opportunity to carry on into secondary education; a very expensive privilege in Equador.

GVI currently has two sustainable plans in place to help with these costs; Plan Moo which allows children to raise their own education fund by being given a dairy cow and selling on the products it makes, and Plan Cuy which allows them to breed guniea pigs and sell them for profit.

To help raise even more money she has now organised a charity quiz to be held by Phil and Jude in The Gatehouse, Monmouth, on Thursday 17th March.

Starting at 9pm, entry costs £1 per person and all proceeds from the evening will go towards the cause.

Prizes have kindly been donated by Marks and Spencer Simply Foods, Goldwire Stores, Bojangles, The Savoy Theatre, Jewel Balti, The Co-operative, Overmonnow Spar, Waitrose, Suits U, Hallmark/ Thorntons, Coffee1, M and Co, Hilary's Four Seasons Florists, Adrian Gaunt and Co, PizzaExpress, Jim Cousins @ Vineyard Wines, Edinburgh Woolen Mill, The Sensitive Skincare Company, Corona, Heineken and Guinness.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the businesses who have donated lovely prizes for the quiz night," said Sophie.

Raffle tickets for the evening are available now in The Gatehouse, priced at £1 a strip.

For further information about the quiz call 01600 713890.

There is still time to sponsor Sophie and Gemma for their run. Visit justgiving.com/Sophie-Williams0

For more information about the GVI project visit gviphoenix.blogspot.com