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Anne gets bit between her teeth on charity trek

27/11/2001

IT WAS a fundraising horse ride with a difference for mum Anne Pillai...an 85 mile gallop across a Moroccan desert.

But with her bit between her teeth the daring 50-year-old and her magnificent Arab stallion completed the task along with 26 others to boost the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust pot by £36,000.

Anne Pillai of Highfield Drive, Macclesfield, and her party who flew out to Ourzazete slept beneath the stars for five days as they trekked across North Africa.

Anne, who works in toxicology research for Syngenta in Macclesfield, said: "There were a few moments when it was a bit hairy, but I had a terrific time and feel really deflated now that's it's all over.

"It was fabulous scenery, we headed through the desert and mountain passes and through a lot of unexplored Bedouin villages.

"The travelling, remoteness and the locals made it a fantastic experience and I would certainly love to go again."

The group, made up of 25 women, two men and a back-up crew driving trucks with food and equipment, rode seven-hours a day for five days.

Anne had been in training for 18 months, and she felt it was all worth it just to sample Moroccan hospitality.

She said: "The villagers were so friendly, they had not seen many westerners and were startled when they realised that most of us were women.

"And the support crew entertained us every night with songs and music. They were great.

"Even the food was wonderful, although I'm not sure what the meat was."

Anne heard about the expedition after her husband, Hassan, 53, donated bone marrow in 1997, and they had kept in touch with the Anthony Nolan Trust ever since.

If you want to get involved with the trust, please phone 01555 660388.