VOLUNTEERS from Bradford are raising money to fund a trip to Cambodia to build houses for families in need.

The 20-strong delegation needs to raise £25,000 to support the two-week trip, which is planned for July, during which they will work alongside the Volunteer Building Cambodia charity, set up in 2014.

Members of the group have set themselves a target of building four traditional wooden Khmer-style stilted houses in rural areas near Siem Reap, a city in the north-west of the country.

Councillor Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton and Allerton) is part of the delegation, which is being led by Nasser Bostan, who has taken part in charity work in Cambodia for many years in his role as an executive with BT.

"This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially for the young people in the group who perhaps have not travelled much out of Bradford," said Cllr Dunbar.

"It will be a new experience for me, but I've always wanted to do something like this.

"It is about helping people in need. Humanity does not stop at the border of a country.

"There is a clear need in the country for these houses, as people have got nothing.

"When people are in need, it doesn't matter where in the world they are.

"I heard what the conditions were like and just felt compelled to help.

"Normally they build two houses in a two-week period, but we will be pushing ourselves hard to build four.

"This will be a big challenge, but it is one I know we are all relishing."

According to the charity, it works with families on the "lowest rung of the property ladder", liaising with social workers and chiefs of the local villages.

It states that many housing structures in the area are unsafe and unsanitary, with people often displaced and forced into squatting.

Mr Bostan said: "This is a great opportunity to help families most in need in Cambodia.

"Having travelled there previously, I know these are people who want nothing more than the opportunity to build a life for themselves with dignity and hope.

"There are fewer than 20 of us going, and we wanted to be ambitious, so we are aiming to build four houses in two weeks instead of the expected two.

"While we have a lot of money to raise in a short space of time, we are confident we can do it so if people can support us by attending one of our events, buying some of our raffle tickets, or taking up one of our sponsorship opportunities."

One of the main fundraising events will be 'CambodiaFest', set to take place on April 8 at Forsters Bistro & Deli in City Park, with artists already confirmed including Hoodoo Operators, Issimo, The Good Citizens, and Sleepy Jake.

For more information and to donate, visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/VBCBradford, or www.facebook.com/vbcteambradford.