A schoolgirl has been inspired to help a remote village overseas after seeing the impact of her voluntary work in a care home.

Aashni Thanki, of Kenton Road, Kenton, will join her fellow pupils from North London Collegiate School, in Canons Drive, Edgware, as they embark on the trip of a lifetime to the Nuratau Mountains, Uzbekistan.

The trip, which will set off in July 2016, is an opportunity for Aashni to share a little of her community spirit in helping to build wells and school buildings for villagers.

During her weekly visits to the Livability care home on Weldon Crescent in Harrow, she saw that giving up a little time can make a big difference to someone’s life.

She said: “At first I didn’t realise how much of a difference I would make on the people there, but these people don’t have anyone and our visit means they have someone to talk to.”

Eager to take on a new challenge, she says she is looking forward to seeing how, brick by brick, the group can transform the village.

She said: “I’ve never done something like this before, so I am excited to see physically a big change in the community.

“They have to walk five kilometres every day just to get water, so you can change so many people’s lives just by being there.”

As well as the physical challenge, the 15-year-old will have to ditch her home comforts and her mobile phone but she seems ready to embrace village life to the full.

She said: “It’s about three and a half weeks in total, nearly a month, and we won’t have any contact between us and our families.

“It’ll be really interesting to grow my own food and milk my own goat and there are no beds, no showers.

“I have never done something like that before but if I fully immerse myself in their culture I know I will be fine.

“I really feel ready for it. Whether mum is, I’m not sure.”

Although the trip is not until next year, Aashni will have to work hard over the next few months to fundraise all the money needed for the project which includes flights, accommodation and building materials.

She said: “I’m organising a bag pack at the Sainsbury’s and I’m also organising a big raffle with prizes donated by businesses.

“I just really want to get the news out there so people know what I’m doing and how to donate.”

In the meantime training has already begun with fitness tests at school and a Duke of Edinburgh type expedition planned soon.

To donate to Aashni’s collection, visit: http://www.gofundme.com/aashni

Anyone wishing to help her organise fundraisers or wanting to donate to her raffle can contact reporter Victoria Oliphant on 07824 530 110 or at victoria.oliphant@london.newsquest.co.uk