A BEWDLEY man who has helped rebuild a Nepal community left devastated by last year’s earthquake has won a national award for his fundraising efforts.

Anthony Eddies-Davies, 45, of Stottesdon, raised around £60,000 for the community of Sindhupalchowk, which is known as one of the worst affected districts of Nepal following the disaster on April 25.

Funds raised have helped create a dozen homes and three schools, built alongside a group of 14 volunteers in a fundraising effort led by Bewdley-based activity company, Live the Adventure.

Mr Eddies-Davies, a company director, who raised funds through events including bike rides and summer balls, said: "We set an initial target of £25,000 but raised around £60,000.

"About 66,000 homes were hit in the earthquakes and only 300 were left so the community was left completely flattened, so the idea was to raise funds to help them.

"We built a dozen homes initially, then the government started some internal funding to the homes but not the schools, so that became our focus.

"I have had an association with Nepal for around 25 years – it has beautiful rivers and mountains but the people are just great.

"They are so warm and such welcoming people, they just need a bit of help and it’s great that we can try and help with that financially."

As part of the work, Mr Eddies-Davies invited teachers to assess the rebuilding of the schools, while also supplied equipment – such as installing Sindhupalchowk’s first computer.

His efforts led to recognition at the National Adventure Awards in Glasgow in March.

He said: "I was presented the ‘Unsung Hero’ award for both the rebuilding work and others as I also train the local guides on a volunteer basis.

"I was quite surprised to get it as I wasn’t even aware of the fact I was nominated until shortly before, but it is not only for me but for the people who help raise the money.

"I don’t really set targets anymore as we targeted £25,000 last year and raised around £60,000 in the end so smashed it.

"It would be great if we could raise another £40,000 to take it to £100,000."