A DRAMA graduate from Settle has just set off for India with the charity Performers Without Borders to teach performance skills to vulnerable children.

Twenty-two-year-old Poppy Avison-Fell, of Settle, a former pupil of Settle College, has been busy raising more than £750 to help fund the project.

She and her fellow performers will use their skills to help children in four Indian cities with opportunities for learning creativity and team work.

This is intended to help children build self-confidence, develop empowerment and overcome social barriers.

Poppy, who graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in drama, will join seven other performers who will spend four months teaching in Ahmdehed, Varanasi, Calcutta and Darjeeling.

Performers Without Borders is a company that brings together performance volunteers from across the globe.

Poppy was noticed by the group through the original interactive theatre performances that she has taken to art events across the country. She will bring these skills to the children’s theatre show they will devise for the tour.

She said: "I am looking forward to learning new performance skills from the other volunteers and learning about a different way of life through the children I will be teaching across India. Performers Without Borders brings light and joy into what is becoming a darkened planet.

"I hope I can help to make a difference by working with our future generations."

Poppy has worked hard to raise money which will be spent on props and equipment, as well as accommodation and transport while they are working.

At the end of November she completed a 17-mile sponsored run up Pen-y- Ghent and has also given taster sessions in 'reiki', the Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation, and hosted a Christmas charity arts day in Settle's Victoria Hall.

She also hosted a Performers Without Borders Christmas Party in Settle Drill Hall last week.

Poppy added: "As a passionate artist, I have always had a draw to India and a desire to use my artistic skills to bring social and

personal well-being to others through joy and laughter. I cannot wait to work with Performers Without Borders."

Donations can still be made on her 'just giving' page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/poppy-avison-fell.