A Lichfield businesswoman is taking on a fundraising challenge to eat only the rations given to a Syrian refugee in a camp in Jordan for one week – and it’s not much.

For seven days, starting on June 13, Sally Wagstaff, of Kings Bromley, will forfeit her normal diet and replace it with rations of mostly rice and pulses to raise potentially lifesaving funds and awareness of refugee families displaced from their homes in Jordan.

The 46-year-old mother-of-two will continue working at her salon Sally Wagstaff Aesthetics in Kings Bromley throughout the week-long challenge on rations of 1.92kg rice, 400g flour, 170g lentils, 85g dried chickpeas, 120g tinned sardines, 400g tinned kidney beans and 330ml vegetable oil.

Raising enough to feed as many families as possible is Sally’s goal

Sally, who has set herself the target of £1,500, and is able to add things like spices and tomatoes on top of the rations if she hits certain fundraising targets, is delighted that she’s already raised enough to feed a Syrian refugee family for a year (£993).

She’s now calling for help to raise more money to feed as many struggling families as possible.

Ex-Navy nurse Sally said:

“Thank you so much to everyone who’s donated so far, it’s amazing that I’ve raised so much - I’ve now pushed my target to £1,500, which considering it was originally £600, I’m so pleased!

“I am looking forward to the challenge, but having practiced some recipes it’s made me realise how tough it must be to have to do this day in day out, so I’m hoping I can raise some awareness too.

“For me it’s just a week, for Syrian refugees it’s their life” – Sally Wagstaff

“For me it’s just a week, for Syrian refugees it’s their life. It’s hard to think that families have been doing this for years. Please help them by donating.”

The Ration Challenge, in partnership with Concern Worldwide, will help to provide emergency food, healthcare and life-saving support to people hit hardest by crisis. It’s also hoped that by people like Sally sharing her experience it will create more empathy and compassion in society.

Visit www.rationchallenge.org.uk/sally-wagstaff to bolster Sally’s efforts and find more out about the challenge.