A CHARD woman put her fundraising efforts in gear raising over £1,000 for children's homes in Sri Lanka, the Philippines and India.

Bannah Cook, who works as a personal banker for Barclays in Chard, cycled from her home in Chard along the cycle path to Ilminster.

Bannah took on the challenge to raise the money for projects supported by Harvest Time Missons International (HTMI), which brings aid and hope to poor children, many of whom are orphans in Asia.

Joining Bannah on her challenge was her husband, Kevin Cook and director of HTMI, David Crisp.

Banah hopes to visit the home in India next year with her husband and daughter Eden.

Banah said: "We are so blessed in this country and really don't know what it is to live in need, if we all gave a small portion of what we have, no one would lack the daily essentials like food and shelter."

David handed over a cheque this week to the founder of one orphanage in Kerala, India, the light of hope home, which provides for 120 children.

David said: "Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something."

The money raised will be matched by Barclays as part of their pound for pound scheme, a commuinity investment programme.

David Bond, community relations manager from Barclays said: "This is a fantastic example of Barclays staff fundraising with the local community to achieve something which we hope will make a real and lasting difference."