PONTYPOOL’S Big Brother runner-up has written an autobiography following his charity trips to help people living on a Philippine garbage dump.

Dave Vaughan, 44, who was a runner-up in Big Brother 11 in 2010, has ran a charity programme over the last five years that sees him travel to the Philippines to give aid to those living on a garbage dump in the capital Manila.

Nicknamed the Drunk Monk from his antics in the house, he has now written his experiences into an autobiography.

Five years ago Mr Vaughan, who lives in Griffithstown, started the charity The New Ecstatics, which has started up a children’s homes in the Philippines.

There are currently nine children supported in the homes, which cost £1,500 a quarter to run, and the programme is helping families living on the dump to set up businesses.

He said: “Big Brother opened a lot of doors for me, and although I have always been involved in charity work, the exposure helped me to get support for my charity work.”

He explained that the Wawa Garbage Dump is inhabited by more than 1,500 families and homeless children who live on top of sewerage and rubbish.

When the project visit, it helps to feed 5,000 people and throws a massive party.

He said: “It so humbling to meet people who have nothing but have so much generosity and love to give.”

His 77-day stint in the Big Brother house and how it changed his life forever is captured in his book.

The father-of-four said that people have been telling him for years to write a book and to capture his spiritual experiences that started in childhood.

Some of the proceeds from his autobiography will go towards the children’s home in the Philippines.

Tales from the Couch: Memoirs of a Drunk Monk is available to buy for £8.99 on Amazon.

To donate see thenewecstatics.co.uk