A couple have just completed the 'Live Below the Line' challenge to raise awareness of the 1.2 billion who live on less than £1 a day.

Dominique Lyons from Penarth and her partner Lee have each been spending just £1 a day on food and drink from Sunday, April 26 to Friday, May 1. The money that they raise will go straight to the SAFE foundation, a charity based in Cardiff which works to improve the lives of people in the developing world. Twenty per cent of the world's population living in extreme poverty, are living on the equivalent of £1 a day.

Dominique said: "To make things more poignant, we have a roof over our heads and access to health, water and other vital services for which we all rely. "Unfortunately those surviving on pittance have to factor in all of these things for this small budget."

They have been running a blog throughout the week to document their experiences. Their focus was on keeping their energy and spirit levels up as much as possible but it was difficult as they often felt hungry which brought on headaches.

Their meals ranged from cinnamon oat pancakes and porridge for breakfast to cold rice and vegetable chilli for lunch and dinner. They found that they no longer had the luxury of choice or planning given the meagre amounts they had to live on. At the end of the week they were overjoyed to have made it through the week.

Lee posted: "I must admit it was a struggle at times. I was constantly hungry, had a permanent headache and due to the financial restrictions placed on us our dietary options were vastly limited. This led to frustration and irritability. I cannot fathom how those who live like this with no end date manage to keep their spirits up."

The 'return to normality' saw a week's worth of calories taken in on one day such was the hunger. Dominique and Lee thanked the people who had donated, the SAFE foundation and the other participants in the challenge who had all helped them through.

"I'm glad that the challenge is over and I'm glad I took part in it." Lee said. "I have experienced what it is like for those who live below the poverty line, albeit artificially, being in a safer environment than those who live it in reality.

"We have raised a good amount of money which will be put to good work, though just as importantly, raised a bit of awareness and opened a few eyes to the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves."

However, they are encouraging people to keep giving. Dominique said: "We'll be taking sponsorship until mid May so it is not too late to donate."

For more information about Dominique and Lee's week, visit their blog at https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/domlyo.