Woman’s five days living in poverty

Megan Crombie tried to replicate the living conditions of people in some of the poorest parts of Africa to raise cash for a charity which helps the world’s poorest.

The 20-year-old, who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome ME (myalgic encephalopathy), lived outside for five days, with nothing but a tent for shelter, and only beans and rice to eat.

She also aimed to walked five miles to collect water every day from a relative’s garden tap for washing and cleaning. But she pulled a hamstring muscle and only managed two miles on the last two days.

Megan, a swimming teacher at Peterlee Leisure Centre, raised £100 for The Rainbow Child Foundation, which helps to supply fresh clean water to villages by installing pumps.

She said: “I found it really, really difficult. It was such a massive life change. But I would do it again.”

The former St Bede’s RC pupil, from Blackhall, lost six pounds in weight, and she went unwashed and wore a onesie throughout the challenge.

She said despite carrying a sign detailing her mission, while walking her dog to get water, she was shocked by the reaction of a mum who ushered her daughter away.

“It opened my eyes to what people in the UK in poverty, and not just Africa, have to deal with on a daily basis”, she said.

Megan said the first thing she did after the challenge was brush her teeth.

There is still time to sponsor her, at www.gofundme.com/fog14rcf.