Helensburgh woman takes on fund-raiser for Zambia project

Joanna Martin has been travelling to Mfuwe in Zambia with a group of friends for more than a decade to watch first-hand how children and families in the village have been impacted over the years.

The group have also witnessed the difference that local charity Project Luangwa has made in the eastern province of the African country so far.

She is now calling on the people of Helensburgh to help them achieve their goal of raising £50,000 to build a grass football pitch as part of a wider project that will see the area have a local community centre.

Joanna and her friends are raising money for a new football pitch as part of a wider project (Image: Joanna Martin)She said: "The pitch currently is hard, uneven ground that frequently leads to injuries including broken legs.

"Football is the main sport in that area played by both girls and boys often in bare feet.

"A group of us from Helensburgh have been visiting for some years now and have seen first-hand the work that Project Luangwa has done and the difference they have made to many children’s lives."

Helensburgh woman Joanna will be taking on the challenge from now until Christmas (Image: Joanna Martin) Project Luangwa provides a 'critical final link' between education and employment in the area. The charity aims to empower communities through the benefits of tourism.

Joanna, who has been recognised in Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling list for her work encouraging others with spinal injuries, will be taking on a huge fund-raising challenge until Christmas.

Joanne and a group of friends have been travelling to Zambia for over a decade (Image: Theo Cohen) She will be travelling the 24,726 kilometres from Glasgow to Mfuwe and back virtually by Christmas through different forms of exercise.

Joanna added: "This current project will make a huge difference to the local children and also the wider community.

"As part of this fund-raising campaign we have set down a challenge to travel virtually from Glasgow to Mfuwe and back 24,726km by Christmas.

"Whether it is cycling, running, swimming, walking or any other movement it can count towards the total. It would be amazing for this dream to become reality."

The football pitches in Zambia are often uneven and covered with holes (Image: Karen Mwale Photography) Ian Macallan, CEO of Project Luangwa, said: "Opportunities in rural Zambia are often few and far between, particularly when it comes to the chance for kids and the community to enjoy sport.

"Football is the most watched sport in Zambia, but players suffer serious injuries and even broken legs playing on uneven and potholed pitches.

"We are working to introduce a dedicated venue for learning and sport in the heart of South Luangwa. As part of this facility we want to create an 11-a-side grass football pitch, providing a safe and fun playing area for all 5,000 residents of Mambwe district to enjoy.

"We have already begun developing education facilities on the site, but we still need funding for the pitch. Sport is a key element in promoting good health, providing strong role models and offering a positive outlet that reduces teenage pregnancies and early marriages.

"We're extremely grateful for everyone who is taking part in this challenge and for all of your help in uplifting impoverished rural communities in Zambia."

For more information about the work of Project Luangwa visit their website at projectluangwa.org and to donate towards their fund-raiser search 'Pitch In For Progress' on GoFundMe.