A RAMSBOTTOM woman is undergoing a unique rations challenge to raise money for refugees.

For one week, Natalie Bessaad, 24, will eat the same rations as a Syrian refugee living in a camp in Jordan.

From September 13 to 19, Natalie will have 420g Rice, 170g Lentils, 85g Chickpeas, one tin of Sardines, one tin of Kidney Beans and 330ml of Vegetable Oil to cook with for a whole week.

The money Natalie raises will provide emergency food, hygiene kits and essential support to Syrian refugees in Jordan, as well as contributing towards Concern’s wider work of ending hunger and extreme poverty in the world’s poorest places.

She said: "It has been something that I have been reading about for a while now. It's quite a hot topic in the news at the moment and I thought it would be a good way to raises awareness and money.

"One thing that really strikes me is the lack of awareness people have about refugees and the reason they risk their lives trying to cross seas and take these chances of finding a better life.

"A lot of stories you see I feel paint refugees in a bad light as if they're doing something wrong for trying to escape war from their own country."

The challenge is run in partnership with Concern Worldwide, an international humanitarian charity.

The box of rations was sent directly to Natalie by the company, and she said "she couldn't believe how small it was" - a stark eye-opener for what people go through.

Natalie also receives a "token" for 1kg of rice and 400g of flour, which reflects operations in the camps.

She is also allowed to add extra things to her diet for each fundraising milestone she reaches.

Natalie's initial target was to raise £250, but has so far raised more than £590.

She added: "I am quite nervous for nit as I love to cook and go out to eat food, so it's going to be hard for me.

"When I read about the ration challenge it seemed like an extremely small sacrifice to be able to help some of these people."

People can donate to Natalie's challenge by clicking here: rationchallenge.org.uk/n-bessaad