Desert will be red hot on United presenter's charity trek

Published on Tuesday 4 August 2009 11:03

TREKKING across the Sahara Desert with two footballing legends sounds like a surreal dream – or a nightmare.

But Mandy Henry, 32, from Edinburgh, has found herself in more than one unusual situation since taking on her dream job, presenting for Manchester United TV.

Now she is now preparing for her toughest challenge yet, when she walks 90 kilometres across the Moroccan desert to raise funds for the football club's charity.

She will join two of the club's former players, Dennis Irwin and Andy Ritchie, as well as around 25 United fans. There will also be a camera crew and several camels.

She will be filming a documentary about their adventure in November, which will be shown on the TV channel the following month.

They hope to raise more than 90,000 for the fund, which supports charities including Unicef.

The former George Heriot's pupil said: "I really wanted to raise money for the charity and a little more awareness. I thought about walking the Great Wall of China, but I'm scared of heights so went for this instead. I was really pleased some of the former players wanted to take part.

"I've never done anything like this in my life before, so it seems a bit daunting. We'll be camping under the stars every night. I'm told that water is rare and the temperature plummets to -1 degrees C once the sun goes down. I'm not sure how I'll cope, as I really like my home comforts."

But she said she was not fazed by being only one of three women on the 30-strong expedition.

"I'm used to it in my job, and all the players are nice," she said.

Mandy started her career as a 17-year-old, doing work experience with Radio Forth and former Edinburgh-based L!VE TV.

She had planned to go to university, but changed her mind when she was offered a job presenting at L!VE TV, and was given the chance to present her own Hearts programme.

Five years later, when L!VE TV folded, she was offered a presenting job at Manchester United TV. A keen football fan from an early age, she was taken to her first match by her dad at the age of three.

She said: "I'm a Hearts fan, but Manchester United was always my English team, mainly because Sir Alex Ferguson is a fellow Scot.

"I think the best bit is getting to see matches every week, and getting paid for it. In an average week I'll get to interview all the players and present the pre-match and post-match programme.

"I've also got to travel to lots of interesting places. I got to go to Rome with the team for the Champions League in May. I've also been to India to do a documentary about the club's work with Unicef."

But she said she does miss life in Edinburgh and regularly travels back to visit her parents and friends.

"It's a great city," she added. "I think I appreciate it a lot more now I've moved away."

To support Mandy, visit www.justgiving.com/mandyhenry.