FOUR former school friends are preparing to ditch their luxury foods, drinks and takeaways and live off £1 a day to raise awareness of the plight of millions of people around the world.

The Live Below the Line challenge sees thousands of people spend just £5 on food and drink over the course of a week – which is known as the poverty line.

Former Ipswich High School pupils Ruth Robinson, Hollie Bostock, Gemma Frenzel and Helen Martin, will be taking it on at the end of April in aid of Restless Development, a youth-led charity for international development.

Miss Robinson, 26, who now lives in London, said: “I know how tough I and those around me found the challenge last year, given my love for food and my slight crankiness when I’m hungry.

“I am fully aware the challenge ahead of me.”

People who take part in Live Below the Line, which has been supported by celebrities including Hugh Jackman, are not allowed to stock up the week before, can’t accept free meals and can only eat and drink what they buy with the £5.

Miss Robinson, partnerships co-ordinator at Restless Development, added: “I did it last year and it was a massive eye opener for me.”

To find out more about the challenge and how you can get involved, please visit www.livebelowtheline.com/uk

Have you taken part in the challenge before? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Ip4 1AN or, alternatively, send an email to starletters@archant.co.uk