Farron a "Slum Survivor" for 24 hours

4.33.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Jul 2008

Local MP Tim Farron took part in a 24 hour "Slum Survivor" event at Westminster Abbey with fellow MPs to raise awareness for the 1 billion people across the world currently living in slums.

The event was organised by Soul Survivor and Tearfund, who created the initiative to give young people an experience of what life might be like living in a slum and to encourage them to think about how they can help to reduce global poverty.

Mr Farron was set a number of challenges to simulate aspects of slum life that included building his own dwelling, fetching water from four miles away, and cooking a basic meal from very limited ingredients.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"This has been a fun and challenging event; but it has a very a serious point to make.

"It's heartbreaking that so many people will go to sleep tonight without shelter, without food and safe water, and without a bed.

"This is a fantastic initiative that gives people the chance to show the Government how determined we are to make progress towards improving the lives of slum dwellers across the world".