A EXHIBITION about changing lives in India has helped to raise more than £1,000 for those who are disadvantaged.

Changing Lives in India was on show at All Saints Church, Penarth, to coincide with their annual Week of Music festival, starting July 7, and finished last week.

Based upon more than a decade of volunteer work with charities providing free healthcare and education to thousands of abandoned, orphaned and severely disadvantaged children, former journalist Jem King's work shone the spotlight on how charities such as HEAL and KISES are transforming lives of the poorest people in India.

Mr King spent 28 years in a journalism career before leaving in 2015 to focus full time on his volunteer work overseas.

“It all started with the simple act of sponsoring a child at an Indian orphanage,” he said. “I quickly found that I was able to call upon my background in journalism to help charities like HEAL (Health and Education for All) and KISES (Kiranmayi Socio Educational Society) reach out to potential donors and sponsors.

“My first sponsored child, who came from an extremely impoverished home, was only nine when I initially became involved, but she is now starting the final year of a chemistry degree which will open up an incredible range of employment opportunities for her."

The Penarth father-of-three said he was pleased by the reaction to his exhibition and is looking to hold more events to raise money for children in India.

He said: "I have had wonderful support from everyone at All Saints Church and the feedback from the talk I gave on the theme of Changing Lives in India has been very positive.

"It has been a very worthwhile experience and I will be looking to adapt the talk I gave for schools so that I can educate local youngsters about India and particularly the benefits of volunteering.

"Some of the money raised has already been used to provide nutritious meals for more than 550 children from disadvantaged backgrounds at HEAL Paradise Village and children's clothing has been sent to KISES charity to distribute in the slums of Vijayawada."

Mr King is aiming to visit all the projects and charities in India to see how the money is helping those less fortunate and his JustGiving page is still open for donations.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/changing-lives-in-india