THOUSANDS of pounds has been raised to enable a young West Devon woman to embark on a trip of a life-time working with children in poverty-stricken Honduras, for which she is 'so grateful'.

Ione Georgakis is set to fly off to central America next month to spend a year teaching a class of children with the educational charity Project Trust, during a gap year before she goes to university to study psychology.

Ione has been fundraising for months to reach her target of £5,400 to fund her volunteering, which she has now exceeded thanks to the support of the community. Everything she raises from now on will go towards buying things for the children.

Ione said: 'On July 5, Tavistock Primary School pupils had a non-uniform day to raise money for me, after I gave a talk to the school council about my trip. I have to say real thanks to the children and the parents. I asked all the children to give me suggestions of what to buy with the extra money I will be getting in now I have raised my target. All the extra money will go to buying equipment and funding classes for the orphanage.

'I am very excited to get some new projects going for the children, like starting a library or a drama group or a sports club.'

As well as fundraising from Tavistock Primary and Nursery School, who raised £150, Ione has also taken part in a sky dive, held a quiz night, race night, raffle, auction, and sponsored head shave and chest wax.

She also received a generous donation from WH Smiths of books, pens, stickers and other stationary which she will take over with her.

She said: 'I am so grateful to everyone who has got so involved. Of course thank you to Tavistock Primary and also to Ben Neil from HQ Bar in Tavistock for not only allowing me to use the venue for my events for free but for personally contributing greatly to my efforts with his personal and financial support.

'I would also like to thank the brave Jon Lees who put himself through all sorts of unpleasant things for my fundraising and who single-handedly raised more than £300 towards my trip. Thanks also to the beautiful and courageous Jemma Scott, who shaved her entire head to raise £180 — and still going. It was a fabulously courageous thing to do and she looks beautiful!

'It would have been impossible to get to where I am now, if it were not for all of these generous people and the support of the local community, the shops that donated prizes and money towards this cause.'