A BURNLEY grandmother is spearheading a campaign to help people in Zimbabwe after returning from a fact-finding mission to the poverty-stricken country.

Anne-Marie Coppock, 61, from Lower Manor Lane in Burnley, was sent to the struggling country by aid agency CAFOD as she manages its Salford office.

Her trip coincided with a visit by prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai to Europe and the US in a bid to persuade leaders that his country is improving.

But Anne-Marie said that people in the African country needed help and urged the people of East Lancashire to support an appeal by CAFOD. She said: “The reality in Zimbabwe is bleak.

“The time of empty supermarkets and wheelbarrows full of Zimbabwe dollars worth only a few pence is over for now but this doesn’t mean Zimbabwe can feed itself.

“It’s only an hour out of the capital Harare and people are barely surviving.

“Seven million people are struggling to feed themselves. Hospitals and schools are barely functioning with few, if any, basic drugs such as aspirin and antibiotics, equipment or school books.

“However, I do believe people’s lives can be changed and that we, as ordinary people in the UK, can make a difference and now is the time.”

Anne-Marie said she was hopeful that her reports will stir people across Burnley and neighbouring towns to dig deep.

She added: “The people’s talk of hope for change is catching.

“The resilience of the people against all the odds is overwhelming.

“Having sensed this hope and seen for myself the hardship, but also how a little support goes a long way, I do believe people’s lives can be changed and that we, as ordinary people in the UK, can make a difference and now is the time.”

To support CAFOD's Zimbabwe appeal, visit the website below or call 0500 858885.