A FORMER Nelson man is living on just on £1.53 a day for a whole month as part of a charity challenge.

Israr Raja, 34, now lives in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and is taking part in the 9 Dirham Survival Challenge to highlight world poverty.

Israr was born and raised in Nelson and attended Edge End High School and then Burnley College.

He worked in community development and helped establish a food bank with a group called ‘Inspiring Grace’ in Nelson.

Israr’s father, Rahmat Raja MBE, has served as a JP and local Councillor in Nelson He has been living in the UAE for the past two years.

He told us: “The 9 Dirham Survival Challenge is an experience to attempt to understand partly what life is like for people living in poverty in our world by living on 9 dirham a day for 30 days.

“It is important to remember that in reality most people are relying on this amount to cover all living costs and not just food.

“However, we will use the 9 dirham to cover food alone, no other living expenses included.”

Israr will be joined by his friend and neighbour Nicolas Wavrin who is from the United States and is also living and working in Al Ain.

Nick will be participating and offering his support by attempting to complete a number of days in this challenge.

Israr added: “Our goal is to raise funds to help and support Dubai Cares which is providing children in developing countries with quality primary education.

“We believe that education is the most effective way to break the cycle of poverty, hence why we will be supporting and raising money for Dubai Cares – a charity based in the UAE.

“We share Dubai Care’s vision that to break the cycle of poverty we need to ensure all children have access to quality primary education and recognise education as the best long-term solution to global poverty.”

Israr is also keeping a daily blog on his challenge at 9dirhamsurvivalchallenge.wordpress.com On it, he says: “My basic strategy has been to not eat until after Maghrib (sunset prayers) so as to save as much money as I can for then.”

You can support the challenge by visiting justgiving.com/9dirhamsurvivalchallenge