A saleswoman hopes to score a home run in the fight against cancer by learning to play baseball.

Laura Porter has been picked to become the face of a new Cancer Research UK campaign which encourages people to donate their skills to raise money.

The 29-year-old, who works for Oxford University Press, is giving cash to the charity instead of paying for her baseball lessons with Kyle Benefield, a 29-year-old American living in London.

She said: “I went to America about a year and a half ago on holiday and saw a baseball match and thought it was absolutely brilliant.

“I thought why not learn how to play?

“I am absolutely rubbish but I thought it would be good to give it a go.”

Miss Porter, from Tiddington, has supported the charity since her mother Diana Porter, from Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with bowel cancer 20 years ago. Her aunt and grandmother also suffered from the same disease.

She said: “I had a friend who saw the Cancer Research UK website and told me about it. I’m obviously interested in helping charities which have anything to do with cancer.

“I just thought I would get involved.

“It was great to meet Kyle, who has himself really battled cancer.

“It was quite inspiring to meet someone who has gone through it.

“It has given me a better understanding of what my mum went through.”

Miss Porter said she had lessons with Mr Benefield, who was diagnosed with a highly-aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2002, when she went to London to see friends.

The pair agreed Mr Benefield would teach her the sport free of charge in return for a £15 donation to the charity for every hour of coaching.

The Cancer Research UK campaign, called Give Take Donate, encourages people to donate their time and skills to others – anything from DIY to dog walking.

Oxfordshire has been selected as one of five counties to take part in the pilot scheme.

Miss Porter, who is now screened regularly for cancer because of her family history, said: “It is a really fun way of donating to charity – rather than just giving money every month you can give money and learn something and meet people.”

Kevin Waudby, head of innovation at Cancer Research UK, said: “More than 2,800 people from Oxfordshire were diagnosed with cancer in 2005.

“By logging on to Give Take Donate and pledging skills and money, you will be helping Cancer Research UK to fund life-saving research.”

For more information, visit the webite www.givetakedonate.org esimmonds@oxfordmail.co.uk