sale bid to boost Joanna's sporting legacy (From Worcester News)

sale bid to boost Joanna's sporting legacy

A FUND-RAISING evening is being held this week in memory of a former Malvern schoolgirl who fell to her death while walking in Siberia.

Joanna Brown, aged 31, had travelled with a friend to the Beijing Olympics before heading to Mongolia and on to Lake Baikal, Siberia, where the accident happened on Monday, August 25, last year.

Since her death, the Joanna Brown Trust, which aims to provide sporting equipment and encourage people to experience activities, has raised thousands of pounds.

It has already donated a new women’s eight boat to Miss Brown’s rowing club in London.

The latest fund-raising evening, on Friday, April 17, at Worcestershire County Cricket Club in New Road, Worcester, will be attended by guest speaker and ex-England cricketer Dennis Amiss and BBC Five Live’s Pat Murphy.

An auction of goods will include a framed team Great Britain rowing suit and official photograph signed by Olympic gold medallists Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club team members have also signed a shirt, as have Liverpool FC’s Champions League-winning squad of 2005.

Use of a stylish BMW Z4 for a weekend is also up for grabs.

All the money raised from the event will go towards training nets at Barnards Green Cricket Club, and as a sign of support to the charity the club players have had the trust logo added to their team shirts.

Miss Brown’s brother Richard, who is organising the event, said: “It is about a local girl’s charity raising money for a local cricket club.

“This sets the standard of the quality of what we want to do.

“Once we get the money, we spend the money – and really make a difference.”

Tickets for the evening, which starts at 7.30pm, cost £500 for a table with a maximum of 10 people, or £60 per person.

For more information or to book tickets e-mail info@thejoannabrowntrust.org.