A CHARITY worker is celebrating a milestone birthday by doing 40 challenges to raise £40,000 for a hospice- all before she turns 40.

Anne Currie, charity manager at Forest Holme Hospice in Poole, has planned a hectic schedule of activities before she celebrates her 40th on December 5 to raise funds for the hospice.

Her most recent challenge was to face a fear by holding a snake. She said: “I’m glad I’ve done it. I don’t really want to repeat it. Luckily it was just a corn snake, which is apparently a friendly one.

“The bit I was scared about was its movement, but it actually felt just like a plastic snake. Quite spongy really and very muscly. It wasn’t slimy or anything,” she continued.

A self-confessed fussy eater, Anne’s tastebuds were also put to the test shortly after.

“As an extra bonus, I had to eat a locust. I was thinking, ‘I really cannot eat this’ but it was crunchy and tasted a bit like cabbage. I’m glad I did it.”

Many of the challenges were suggested by friends and colleagues who “know all my Achilles’ heels,” she added.

“I’ve done three so far and I’m midway through others, like giving up coffee for 40 days, which is harder than it sounds.

“There’s about 20 to 30 challenges altogether. People are either doing the challenge with me or giving me the materials to do stuff.”

Forest Holme Hospice is a purpose-built hospital unit, which provides care for patients with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

“I lost my dad when I was 20 to cancer, so I know how important hospice care is to families,” she explained.

Some of the other challenges in store for Anne include climbing Ben Nevis, performing circus aerial skills, abseiling down a cliff at Portland Bill, and other eccentric challenges, such as pulling a pint in 40 pubs and doing 40 laps of Poole Park boating lake in a pedalo.

“But the one that really horrifies me, that’s worse than the snake, is doing the conga,” she said.

“The conga line petrifies me, I just think it’s really naff."

She added: “I’m worried about performing the tap dance out of Singing in the Rain, as well. I was thrown out of dance classes at the age of four for having no ability.”

To find out more about Anne’s 40 Before 40 fundraising challenge, visit her webpage at forestholmehospice.org.uk