While many people give something up for Lent, one woman in St Keverne is preparing to do away with food for a whole three days in the run up to Easter in a bid to fundraise for the foodbank.

From midday on Thursday next week, through to midday on Easter Sunday, Geraldine Dillingham will only allow herself water and two mugs of Bovril, to replace salts, each day.

She hopes that people will sponsor her to complete the 72-hour fast, to raise money for the Helston and Lizard Foodbank.

Geraldine, a member of St Keverne Church, said: "The foodbank gives out enough food for three days at a time, so I thought it would all tie in."

Geraldine, 53, said she had spoken to her doctor about fasting and has some experience with it already, having already completed the eight-week blood sugar diet in May, losing five and a half stone and reversing her type two diabetes in the process.

This only allows 800 calories a day and forces a person to remove all starch, carbohydrates and processed sugar from their diet.

She has completed two 40-hour fasts in the past and completed a few 36-hour fasts, and explained: "I thought perhaps I should try to do a longer one and for a good purpose."

This will be the first time she has attempted anything so long, however, and she said if it started to affect her health she would have to give it up, adding: "But I'm hoping it should be fine.

"It's getting more scary as it gets closer. I'm just hoping I can do it; three days is a long time. I'm sure I'll be able to keep myself focussed and get through it."

Geraldine finds that losing herself in a good book helps keep her mind from food.

"I wouldn't suggest people just do it without really thinking about it and looking into it first," she added.

To chat to Geraldine about her challenge and to sponsor her email sngdill@gmail.com.