Charity mission gets backing from Cheryl Cole

Jun 6 2010 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

HER charity mission has already been spiced up by Victoria Beckham, Mel B and countless other celebrities and footballers.

And now fundraising champ Teba Diatta has a new star supporter – Geordie sweetheart Cheryl Cole.

The Sunderland University graduate from York is on a one-woman mission to raise cash for a poverty-struck school in Senegal, West Africa, and she’s already ploughed tens of thousands of pounds into her project, called Running for Life.

Teba’s latest goal is to collect 100 items signed by celebrities for a charity auction, and her growing collection of goodies is about to be joined by some items donated by X Factor judge and superstar singer Cheryl.

Teba, 26, said: “I was made up when I heard, it’s brilliant news. I’ve not met up with Cheryl yet but I’m hoping something will be set up soon.

“Her people have been in touch with me to say Cheryl is happy to donate some things to be auctioned, but I don’t know what it will be yet.

“I was chuffed to get Mel B and Posh on board.

“And to get Cheryl’s support is fantastic – she’s very down to earth and quite frankly the best person to get on board in the country at the moment. Kids will go mad for her stuff so we will make a fortune for the children in Senegal!”

Over the last two years Teba, who is half Senegalese, has been busy making contacts in the showbiz and sporting worlds in a bid to build up a pile of auction items.

She has frequently jetted around the globe to meet stars, including Victoria Beckham, who she collared in Chicago doing a signing of her jeans range in a top department store.

The former Posh Spice singer was more than happy to sign a pair of her white jeans, and they were joined by a signed pink bra from fellow Spice Girl Mel B.

Footballers have also backed her bid, and she so far has signed shirts from Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, former Man Utd forward Louis Saha and Manchester City midfielder Patrick Viera, who has also donated a signed photo and copy of his autobiography.

Last year’s Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity have also offered support with a signed programme from a recent show.

Teba said: “I’m quite good at getting contacts together and I’m really good at getting people to help – and every penny I raise goes to the charity.

“My aim is to get 100 items and I’m in the process of organising a date for the auction.

“I’ve done all manner of jobs to fund myself, from waitressing to cleaning toilets, to make sure the rest of the cash can go straight to the school in Senegal.”