A marketing account manager has returned from helping build new classrooms for a Gambian nursery.

Rebecca Bardell who works for marketing agency Positive Thinking in Richmond Road, Richmond, joined a team of volunteers from charity Children of Gambia Services for the two week trip.

The charity aims to provide better education for children living in Jabang.

While she was there Rebecca mucked in helping undertake essential building and maintenance work at the Tuti Nursery School.

Despite the heat the team managed to dig foundations for two new classrooms, paint the inside and the outside of the nursery school and staff accommodation and help install electricity.

Rebecca chose to help Children of Gambia Services as she had previously fundraised for them in the past.

She said: “My trip to Gambia was a brilliant experience, working with the charity enabled me to see the real Gambia and take part in a worthy cause. It was very refreshing to meet children who have so little but are still bundles of joy.

"My visit to Gambia has really made me look at my life and what I have and I realise that I should really appreciate the opportunities available to me more.”

Founder of Children of Gambia Services, Nina Jabang, said: “I would like to thank Rebecca and all the volunteers who travelled to Gambia to work on the nursery school/medical centre project in Jabang.

"Rebecca’s painting skills were second to none and her digging ability (despite the ground being very hard) allowed the footings for the next two classrooms to be dug.

"Without Rebecca’s and all the volunteers being so supportive to the project, giving their valuable time, the work we achieved in 14 days would not have been completed.”

For more about the project go to childrenofgambiaservices.org.uk.