Menston woman set for Brazilian challenge

3:47pm Saturday 3rd May 2008

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Menston woman Annie Greig is hoping to rake in the funds for charity when she takes part in an expedition to South America this Autumn.

Annie, 46, is looking to raise over £4,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research when she helps rebuild a dilapidated school and football pitch in Brazil.

The IT worker, who lives at Leathley Lane in the village, has just released a CD of her singing and will be taking part in a fund-raising concert by local group Ladies Please' later this summer in a bid to reach her fundraising target.

Now she is appealing for local sponsors to get in touch to help her raise the substantial sum, which will go towards the charity which helps tackle bowel cancer.

She said: "I'm very excited about the trip to Brazil. I wanted to do something positive and have had a few friends who have had cancer diagnosed but have been lucky they got it early.

"The Bobby Moore Fund looks like a very worthwhile cause and I get to do a double whammy. I raise money but I also do something positive out in Brazil.

"I didn't just want to put money in a box or write a cheque, I wanted to do something practical. This way I get to do both."

This will be the second major charity expedition for Annie who in 2003 did a fundraising trek to the Great Wall of China for breast cancer research.

She said: "The work I will be doing is most definitely not a holiday! It will take place in a remote village in Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.

"I will be there for 11 days sleeping in a tent. Around 40 of us will work to renovate an old school and a football pitch in partnership with the local population. This will give the children and their parents the chance to continue their education in their own village, close to their families, rather than being obliged to move away.

"It will be hard work and I will be getting myself fitter over the next few months to build up my stamina.

"I'm a bit worried about sleeping in a tent I'm not keen on creepy crawlies, but if it's for a good cause I'll do it."

The Bobby Moore fund was set up by his widow Stephanie after the footballer died from bowel cancer aged 51.

Since then she has raised over £9 million to tackle the disease.

Annie, who self funded the production of her CD said: "It's a very worthwhile cause.

"I have already raised about £140 overnight just through e-mailing friends and telling them what I am doing. I am sure that local people will support me."

The CDs, which feature cover versions of a number of artist including Dolly Parton and Cher, will go on sale within the next ten days and will be available either through Annie herself or at the Menston Arms Pub in the village.

The Ladies Please fundraising concert will be held at Menston Methodist Church on Friday, June 6 and tickets will be available soon.

Anyone who is interested in supporting her can contact her via her at www.justgiving.com/anniegreigprojectbrazil.

Alternatively you can telephone her on 07709 777786.

She said: "Around 45 people die every day in the UK from bowel cancer your support really will help save lives."