FORMER Croydon Council press officer Maureen Gibbons is forsaking leafy Sanderstead next month to join a volunteer project in Cambodia.
Mrs Gibbons of The Ridge Way will be spending two weeks in the Ounlong Kong Themey village, a shanty town outside Phnom Penh, helping volunteers from the Mission Direct charity build homes for four families.
She said: "The town is rife with disease and malnutrition but the families, who are squeezed into one tiny room, have nowhere else to go.
"The volunteers are putting up a new building, which will be divided into four to at least allow each family a bit of privacy."
The building will also contain a shared kitchen and a toilet and washing block.
Mrs Gibbons' interest in the work of Luton-based Mission Direct was inspired by her sister-in-law who has been involved for a number of years.
Anyone wanting to make a donation is asked to visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/maureengibbons1
