THEY began by saving shoes for a charity they'd never heard of. (From Warrington Guardian)

THEY began by saving shoes for a charity they'd never heard of.

But by the summer the two Knutsford mothers could be saving lives - by caring for children orphaned by AIDS in Zimbabwe.

They leave for Africa in June - not knowing what's expected of them.

But it doesn't worry them.

"To us it is not an unusual thing to do," said Nura Rainfield, of Oakfield Avenue.

"It is so easy to say we will have a jumble sale to raise money but it is not until you actually visit the place that you see exactly what they need."

Nura and her friend, Sue Leech, will be working for a charity run by Stephen Mills.

The Wilmslow-based businessman ploughed everything he owned into a farm and nearby school in the former British colony.

The farm is now home to about 150 orphans - some as young as three.

Nura, who trained as a beauty therapist, heard about the scheme at the Knutsford Methodist Church's Welcome Cafe on Longridge.

She was asked to collect shoes and clothes to send to Zimbabwe, but wanted to do more.

"Stephen just asked us how soon we could get over there," said Nura. "That's how desperate the situation is."

Their young sons, Joseph, 8, and Mathew, 11, will spend their six-week summer holidays there too.

"Some people have criticised us for taking the children, but we haven't got anybody else to look after them at home," said Sue.

In Zimbabwe one in three adults are infected with HIV and about half a million children have watched one or both of their parents die.

A few lucky orphans are cared for by other relatives, but most live on the streets.

The farm, where Sue and Nura will be based, is about 80km outside the capital, Harare.

All the orphans' parents have died of AIDS, but so far none of the youngsters have shown signs of infection.

But Sue and Nura aren't taking any chances.

"We have tried to impress on our boys that if they cut themselves they should come to us for first aid," said Sue.

A course of vaccinations against diseases such as diphtheria, polio, tetanus and hepatitis B are needed.

Nura's daughter, Sarah, 22, who trained as a beauty therapist, has given up her current job as a receptionist to go too.

She wants to spend six months teaching 20 young girls about beauty therapy so they can earn money in the city hotels.

"It will give them a choice," she said. The alternative is prostitution.

She will also advise the girls on contraception.

The roles of Nura and Sue on the project are less defined.

Sue's 20-year background in care work - particularly for terminally ill patients - will be invaluable in teaching others how to nurse the dying.

"If the orphans decide to go back to their townships their relatives could be dying of AIDS and they will have to look after them," she said.

Nura could end up doing anything from basic joinery to painting.

But Stephen Mills is keen that they talk and listen to the children.

"So far there hasn't been enough time or people to listen to them," said Sue. "The emphasis has been placed on providing food and shelter.

"I want to try to prove to them that they can make a difference in their own lives."

SUE Leech and Nura Rainfield believe in action.

The two Knutsford mums already have a reputation locally for getting things done.

Both are committed members of Knutsford's Over Ward Community Action Project and are the chief organisers of Longridge's fun day.

SUE and Nura's only problem is cash.

They need £650 each.

"Some people don't understand why we want to give up our jobs and holidays to go there," said Sue, who says they will survive on a diet of maize and fish.

"But we are working overtime to pay for it." Donations can be paid into a special Zimbabwe 99 account at Knutsford's Midland Bank.

Other items desperately needed include a four-wheel drive vehicle, domestic washing machines and bicycles.

TRAGIC: One of the young African orphans living at the farm. Right: Nura Rainfield and her son Joseph and Sue Leech with son Mathew

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.