A COMMUNITY is rallying round to support a woman who is set to cycle hundreds of miles across Brazil to raise money for charity.

Lesley Palmer, of The Green, Millom, has been left astounded by the generosity of the Millom community as friends, neighbours and businesses pull together to help support her cause.

Mrs Palmer is planning to travel to Brazil next year and cycle 350km to raise money for three cancer charities: Breast Cancer Care, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

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Now people across the area are helping the 57-year-old organise a number of fundraising events to ensure as much money as possible is collected for the charities.

Mrs Palmer said: "Everyone has been brilliant.

"I've been round all the local shops to get raffle prizes and had offers of help for other things and suggestions - it's just been amazing.

"I never thought people would be this generous, they've just been so lovely."

Originally from Hampshire, Mrs Palmer moved to the area just one year ago and has been bowled over by the amazing sense of community spirit in the town.

She said: "I've just been overwhelmed by everyone here.

"I haven't been here very long; I'm a southerner and I've never experienced this kind of generosity before."

The first fundraising event will take place on Saturday, with a special quiz night and raffle at Thwaites Village Hall at 8pm.

As a quiz bingo, the event will tie together the two popular games to put a slightly different twist on the traditional pub quiz.

Refreshments of tea and coffee will also be on offer and people can also bring their own alcohol.

The cyclist's quest will take place in October next year, where she will join women from across the UK to ride the 350km across Salvador in Brazil.

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Mrs Palmer will be cycling on and off-road through some of the country's most rural areas, along tropical coastlines and through sweltering rainforests - all in scorching temperatures and high humidity.

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Tasked with raising a minimum of £3,300, Mrs Palmer has high hopes that the Millom community will rally round in support but is determined to encourage as many people as possible to take part in this weekend's event.

She said: "Cancer is something that has touched everyone in some way and I think these are slightly different cancer charities.

"We do need money for research but these are smaller charities that support people going through it.

"Not everyone gets the support they need and not everyone has a good family network around them.

"So many people have said that cancer is close to their hearts and everyone seems to be coming together in support.

"I think Millom is especially good for that."