FOOTBALLERS trying to save a Brazilian rainforest got their boots on for a fundraising match.

Teams from Oxford United Women went head to head as part of the Jabuji World Cup Charity Challenge last Sunday.

The all-female challenge will see teams across the country playing to raise funds for three charities supporting Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest, one of the most vulnerable in the world.

It has been organised by West Oxfordshire author Sigrid Shreeve to help raise awareness of the endangered eco-system.

Ms Shreeve, 53, who writes under pen name Rosa da Silva, said: “The World Cup is in Brazil and as the focus is on Brazil we want people to learn a little bit more about the country’s rainforest.”

The challenge began on June 12 after the earlier launch of Ms Shreeve’s eco-thriller Jabujicaba. All proceeds from the book will go to The World Land Trust, Durrell Wildlife Conservation and Isle of Wight Zoo.

The challenge will end on Sunday, July 13, the day of the World Cup final.

Sunday’s match saw Oxford United Women’s Super League team beat the club’s Legends team by 7-1 at Roman Way’s Oxford United Training Ground.

Oxford United Women’s Super League captain Katharine Nutman, 21, said: “I think the environment does not get enough attention and it’s probably the most important issue, without that we don’t have much.”




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