Blog 25 - Book Worm

Challenge 11 on the final list was to ‘Read 40 Books’, as I love reading but don’t often get chance to read as much as I would like, this challenge would give me the excuse to make more time for reading. To be honest this challenge did exactly that and it has rarely felt a chore but gave me an excuse to unwind and find time to relax.

A good book does consume me and I often get the feeling I can’t put it down so try to multi-task whilst still reading. There were many of these books throughout the year and I found a new thriller writer that I loved Karen Rose and read a number of her books as it meant along with the fact they gripped me it also meant I read them quicker therefore getting through more books quicker.

There were some books that weren’t as good and I didn’t enjoy as much and also towards the end of the year I started reading a few short stories and choosing books by how many pages it had! My worst book through the year was ‘Goldfinch’ which was very depressing and had over 700 pages so was also my longest book! My favourite book by far was ‘Wonder’ – a truly beautiful book aimed at 10 year olds but all adults should read it to remember what is important in life and how it feels to be a child.

I tried to buy most of the books from charity shops or charity fairs and events, but did purchase a few on my kindle particularly the books we decided on at the Book Club I also meet up with. I spent almost £75 on books throughout the year and donated as many of the books as I could to charity shops in my free box once I had read them.

This is one challenge I will carry on with after the year is up but at a slightly calmer pace!

The 40 books that I read were;.

Book1 – A Serpentine Affair by Tina Seskis
Book2 - The Mystery of Merry Close by Marian Keyes
Book 3 - Not Quite Perfect by Annie Lyons
Book 4 - Danny Wallace and his Karma Army by Danny Wallace
Book 5 - Warning of Gales by Annie Sanders
Book 6 – Honeymoon by James Patterson
Book 7 - Husbands and Other Lovers by Jane Elizabeth Varley
Book 8 - The Detectives Daughter by Lesley Thompson
Book 9 - The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.
Book 10 - The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith
Book 11 - Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
Book 12 - Alone by Lisa Gardner
Book 13 - Momzillas by Joll Kargman
Book 14 - Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Book 15 - Fawn Brown by Zoe McAuley
Book 16 - Closed for Winter by John Lier Horst
Book 17 - Butterflies in the Rain by Anne Zouroudi
Book 18 - Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfield
Book 19 - Broken Silence by Karen Rose
Book 20 - Watch Your Back by Karen Rose
Book 21 - Wonder by R J Palacio
Book 22 - Leap the Wild Water by Jenny Lloyd
Book 23 - Dirty Secrets by Karen Rose
Book 24 - The Red Room by Nicci French
Book 25, 26 & 27: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Book 28 - Have You Seen Her by Karen Rose
Book 29 – A Little Dog Like You by Rosemary Sutcliff
Book 30 - New Cardiff by Charles Webb
Book 31 - Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Book 32 - Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Book 33 - Silent Scream by Karen Rose
Book 34 - Lifeboat No.8 by Elizabeth Kaye
Book 35 - A Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor
Book 36 - Bad Girls by Rebecca Chance
Book 37 - Thorn in my Side by Karin Slaughter
Book 38 - Hunger by Susan Hall
Book 39 - Mad About You by Sinead Moriarty
Book 40 - Sleep Tight by Rachel Abbott

Blog 24 - A Bridge Too Far!

My biggest phobia is Bridges, don’t ask me why, it isn’t very logical, but aren’t most phobias illogical? I’m sort of ok with heights but very high bridges and me do not get on well.

When I was younger I had two bad experiences that made my bridge phobia worse. The first one was attempting to cure my phobia, a boyfriend at the time decided to take me on the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. It did not cure my phobia but just made it worse, as I managed to get halfway across and then froze in the middle and cried. I obviously looked so upset people were stopping trying to help me and counsel me as they thought I was going to jump! I had to physically crawl to get off the bridge and have not attempted to purposely walk across a high bridge since.

A couple of years later, my car broke down on the Severn Bridge and to make matters worse I got locked out of my car, when I rang for help, so had to stand outside on the bridge until the police came to rescue me. I was in such a state and so cold as was only wearing a T-shirt in high winds, by the time the Police came (which incidentally was very quick!) they were really worried about me and thought I had gone into shock! I had to explain it was just that I hate bridges!

Over the years my fear has got a bit better if I’m honest and I feel really silly and weak being frightened of anything so thought this was an ideal opportunity to face my fear head on as it were! The closest highest and possibly the most scariest bridge suggested was the Newport Transporter Bridge, so that was the one that made the shortlist and I would attempt to cross it! After it made the list I realised the height of the bridge (over 250 feet) and the walkway you walk on is see through, I knew this was the challenge that would push my phobia to the limit!

This challenge was a bit thwarted and it actually took me 3 attempts. The first attempt was whilst filming the ‘Happy Newport’ video for my job. The film crew and transporter bridge staff persuaded me to climb to the top. After lots of attempts to get out of it, stopping umpteenth times on the way up and getting coaxed to carry on by the staff, I managed to get all the way to the top of the stairs.

Amazing you might say, until I froze at the top and could barely move away from the top of the stairs and although trying to hide it bravely, I was absolutely petrified. When it came down to it and I could have walked over to the other side to complete the challenge, I couldn’t do it! Going back down the stairs was horrendous and infinitely worse than going up and didn’t make me feel any better about having to make a second attempt.

My second attempt was on a glorious day and I managed to get a group of 8 colleagues to hold my hand. I psyched myself up all day and everyone was really looking forward to it as it was so sunny and clear. Once we arrived at the Bridge however we were told by the lovely staff that we weren’t able to go up as there was a Fire Service strike! Gutted (everyone else) but slightly relieved (me) we left deflated.

My third attempt however was a bit more straight forward, I was unable to get as many supporters but had my marketing team from work to hold my hand. I had had quite a frustrating and busy day in work which had distracted me so much that I hadn’t had time to fret about the attempt. The smaller group of people actually relaxed me a bit also and took the pressure off as I was less worried about crying and making a tit out of myself!  Paul and Megan were unafraid but Tahnee was almost as nervous as I was, but we all started off well and confident.

Selfie at top of the Bridge with Paul, Tahnee and  Megan

The climb up was daunting and Tahnee was worried about slipping, but we made it to the top without stopping. We didn’t waste too much time before attempting to go across which I was grateful for as I didn’t want to freeze again. Walking out on to the see through gangway was fighting every urge in my body but I stayed calm and tried to enjoy the view. The height didn’t really scare me but the bridge felt really unstable to me and I constantly felt like it was swaying.  In my head and the reassuring chats by the guys, made me realise that it was all really safe and nothing to be frightened of, but I had a few head spin moments and felt like if I let my panic overtake me I would faint!

The start of the walk!

The view through the walkway - it doesn't look that
 impressive but it was very high (250 foot up)!

When the gondola moved underneath us and made the whole bridge shake, I did feel the panic rising but forced myself to keep calm and before I knew it we had got to the other side! The climb down wasn’t particularly pleasant but it was soon over. Once I got on firm ground my legs began to shake like crazy as the adrenaline wore off but I did it!

Towards the end and grimace of fear!

So my 24^th challenge completed and my biggest fear faced, I feel quite proud actually!

Blog 23 - Flying without Wings!

When creating the list of challenges a suggestion from a friend in work was the Big Zipper in North Wales. She said something like, ‘it’s a big zip wire and looks amazing fun’, okay so without much more thought than that, it made the short list! It was only after I really looked into it when booking that I realised that it was a mile long zip wire, that starts 500ft up and you fly around 100 miles an hour!!!

The next thing was to find some similar suckers, I mean willing volunteers and fellow adventurers. I was surprised when a few people did step forward so I hastily booked for us all before anyone could change their minds! Our group included married couple Sioned and Dyfan who are friends and fellow parents of children at the same school (They got given a voucher for the Zip ride for their 40^th birthdays), my friend Karen from University and her fella David and my childhood friends Lara and Kath. A cheerful group of 7 almost strangers with their mad friend ME as their main connection! God love them!

After a few lost cars, my fellow fliers and I eventually met up at Zip World in Bethesda, North Wales ready to take our flight. We hardly had time to empty our bladders, before they were asking us to take our flight early as another group had not arrived. We were whisked in to the kit room and weighed (oh the shame!) and suited and booted in our special suits in record fast time and we were on our way to the first test ‘the little zipper’.

Kath and Lara ready to launch on Little Zipper!

The Little Zipper takes you down to bottom of the quarry reaching speeds of up to 40mph. The majority of us were a little nervous but not too bad. Kath and Lara volunteered to go first and before we knew it they were off! Karen was a little nervous and David was taking it all in his stride, Dyfan volunteered to come last on his own and Sioned and I were second to last. I wasn’t too nervous at all and it felt fantastic flying over the bottom of the quarry. It was over before I knew it and being caught by some lovely man. There was a comedy moment when they started to unhook us and lower the platform but for some reason they forgot to unhook something essential, which meant that Sioned and I started lifting off the ground and hanging in the air as the platform lowered without us, giving us a very tight wedgie and giving everyone else a good laugh!

Me at the end of the Little Zipper! I look far more terrified than I felt!

6 of the group in the truck taking us to the top (Dyfan took the photo)

We then moved on to the vehicle that was going to transport us up to the top of the largest slate quarry in the world! The lovely Zip World staff were giving us lots of facts and figures about our flight and reassuring us of our safety. There was a very nervous stag group with us, who were taking their flights before us, the stag was in particular very anxious and was refusing to go at one point but the staff managed to talk him round. Watching everyone else going and staring down at the wire 500 foot up, I started to have a little wobble myself. Not enough to stop me doing it, but enough to make all my saliva dry up, get clammy hands and my legs start shaking!

Lara and I waiting nervously at the top

Karen ready for launch 500 ft up!

Me ready to go at top with the white knuckles of fear!

Before I knew it though, there was no way out and I was being strapped in and off we went, hurtling down a zip wire head first, screaming my head off but feeling like I was flying! Then I became aware of really hard rain which felt like hail hitting my face. The G force wind also pulled my goggles down off one eye. I tried to reach up to push them back on my face but it sent me a bit sideways and gave a big wobble, so I put my hand down quick smart but couldn’t see a bloody thing! I was trying to look out for the man giving me the signal to put my arms out, but I couldn’t see anything until I was right above him!

The whole thing lasted about a minute and was amazing – a total adrenaline rush! As soon as I finished I just wanted to do it again. All of the rest of the group said the same! We walked back down the hill to find our families feeling totally exhilarated.  I wish I could have done it 40 times!

Thanks to my friends Kath and Andy they gave me a go proc camera to fit to the top of my helmet, so I was able to capture the whole ride. You can see the video clip below of what it felt like and look out for the bump and wobble, where I tried to reach up to my face and then you see Lara go bombing past me.

Another challenge done (no.22) and what an amazing challenge it was and definately one of the most enjoyable!

Blog 22 - Be Happy, Eat Chocolate!

Another weekend has past and another challenge has been completed! To celebrate the fact that my childhood friends and I are all turning 40 this year, we decided to go away for the weekend so rented a converted barn in Croyde, North Devon. We celebrated in style with champagne, presecco, lots of wine and stunning food. To add to the mix of alcohol consumed, even though we are all around the age of 40, we also added one of my challenges to revert to our childhood! The ‘Chocolate Challenge Competition’ which basically consisted of 5 chocolate inspired games to compete against each other.

The five rounds consisted of;

1) Using a straw only, pick up as many maltesers as possible in a minute from a bowl and place in a beaker.

2) Build the tallest single stacked Rolo tower.

3) Using a pair of chopsticks only, pick up as many smarties as possible in a minute from a bowl and place in a beaker.  

4) Stuff as many maltesers in your mouth, without chewing or swallowing any.

5) Stick as many chocolate buttons as possible to your face.

Much hilarity and profanity ensued while my eight friends and I attempted to play these games. The best straw sucking stars were Kath and Kate who managed to suck up 24 and 23 maltesers respectively! I managed to build the tallest Rolo tower with 20 rolos, Sarah managed to pick up 20 smarties with the chopsticks and I managed to stick the most chocolate buttons to my face! There was fierce competition in the malteaser mouth stuffing game with Kath beating us all hands down squeezing in 30 maltesers, Tracey was a close second with 27 stuffed in and I managed a pathetic 18!

This challenge has also been documented by video, but to save everyone else’s blushes I have edited the video to just a couple of my attempts as we all know I’ve got no dignity left! I can only apologise...

So the 20^th challenge completed, 20 more to go and it’s the Big Zipper next!!!!

Blog 21 - We must eat cake!

The eighteenth and nineteenth challenges were not really about strength, difficulty or tests of endurance, well unless you count trying to eat as many cakes as possible in an hour as an endurance challenge? 

These two challenges were about having fun and doing things that I wouldn't normally do. Although I work in a theatre and arts centre and I get to see many amazing productions that tour to Newport, I don't often get the opportunity to see theatre in London. I have wanted to see a London professional drama production for some time so I added this to my list of 40 challenges. Luckily my generous Aunt who lives in London said that she would buy me a ticket for my birthday present. We decided to see the play ‘Other Desert Cities’, which was performed in the round at the Old Vic Theatre. The experience or the play did not disappoint and we had a lovely evening. 

Two weekends later I was off to Big Ole London Town again for the next treat challenge! As my Mum was celebrating her 70^th Birthday also this year, I wanted to get her a once in a lifetime present so my Aunt and I planned and paid for an Afternoon Tea at The Ritz package for the three of us. Once again the experience d did not disappoint and the Ritz was just as glamorous and glitzy as you would expect and we were bursting with lots of yummy cakes and sandwiches by the end! 

So two more challenges completed and two very memorable and wonderful experiences with loved ones gained - perfect!

Update on the challenges, 19 completed…

• Challenge 2 – GET 40 PEOPLE TO DONATE £10 – I managed to get 40 people to donate £10 to my Just Giving Fundraising page for RSPCA Cardiff.
• Challenge 3 – RUN FOUR 10K RUNS IN 4 DAYS – I ran 40k between 2.13.14 – 5.3.14 with help from my friends. Cost £16 to enter the official St Davids Day Run.
• Challenge 4 – SWIM 40 LENGTHS – Swan 40 lengths of the 50m pool in Cardiff Bay with Lara Ramsay on 27.10.13. (Money spent £16 for goggles and entry to pool)
• Challenge 5 – RIDE 40 MILES ON BIKE – Rode 40.82 (65.7km) miles on the Taff Trail from above Pontiscill Reservoir with 11 friends.  (£125 spent on getting kitted out)
• Challenge 8 – SCORE 40 ON A DART BOARD WITH ONE DART – Got a double top on my 9^th try on 12.1.14
• Challenge 9 – 40 HOUR FAST – I completed 40 hours not eating any food and surviving on water and flavoured water only. (Sept, with Karen Daniel)
• Challenge 12 – VOLUNTEER FOR 40 HOURS - Aside from my RSPCA volunteering, 40 hours of my free time were given volunteering for NSPCC Childline Schools Service, PTA events and other fundraising events.
• Challenge 13 – GIVE UP CHOCOLATE FOR 40 DAYS – I gave up chocolate from 5 March until 17 April.  
• Challenge 16 – 40 HOUR NO SWEARING OR £1 FINE – Completed between Tuesday 5 to Wednesday 6 November 2013. (Cost me £21)
• Challenge 18 – TURN MOBILE PHONE OFF FOR 40 HOURS – I turned my phone off and had no access to facebook, twitter or emails at all for 40 hours. (Oct)
• Challenge 19 – 40 HOUR SILENCE – Completed between Midnight on Thursday 14.11.13 until 4pm on Saturday 16.11.13.
• Challenge 22 – ADOPTED A WILD ANIMAL – I adopted Jubilee an Asian Elephant through the Born Free Foundation. (Spent £30 for adoption fee).
• Challenge 23 – SEE A PLAY IN LONDON – Thanks to the generosity of my aunt who bought my ticket, I accompanied her to see Other Desert Cities at the Old Vic.
• Challenge 24 – TEA AT THE RITZ – My Mum, Aunt and I went to The Ritz on Sunday 4 May 2014 to celebrate my Mum’s 70^th Birthday.
• Challenge 25 – GIVE BLOOD – Completed on 11.10.13.
• Challenge 28 – COMMIT 12 ACTS OF KINDNESS TO RANDOM STRANGERS – Completed on 26.3.14.
• Challenge 30 – APPLY FOR A GAME SHOW – I applied to the following game shows ‘Deal or No Deal’ ‘The Chase’, ‘Bargain Hunt’ and ‘The Guess List’, but have not actually made it onto any actual shows.
• Challenge 36 – LISTEN TO ALL THE CD’S I OWN – 186 CDs were listened to from beginning to end.
• Challenge 38 – HULA HOOP FOR 40 REVOLUTIONS – Completed in Sept. (Spent £18 on buying hula hoop)

Blog 20 - On Your Bike...

My 18^th challenge completed was a 40 mile bike ride. I am pleased to say I did the most preparation I have done for a challenge so far, seeing as I didn’t actually have a bike, I needed to at least buy a bike!

Seeing as I wasn’t sure if I would like cycling, as I have barely ridden a bike before and haven’t ridden a bike since I was in my teens, I didn’t want to spend vast amounts of money on a bike. I found out about the Cardiff Cycle Workshop, who take in unwanted and abandoned bikes and recondition them and sell them on. The guys that work voluntarily were fab, they found me a bike that fit and would cope with a 40 mile bike ride and all for the pricely sum of £50! They were really enthusiastic and spurned me on for the challenge.

Along with the bike I bought a bottle holder, lights, handy tool kit, foot pump, spare inner tube and padded trousers, so I was ready… all the gear and no idea!!!.

 I was really pleased that so many of my friends wanted to join me on this challenge and were supportive of tactics and working out the best route to take. Thanks to Nia who also managed to score a group of us a Bike Maintenance class courtesy of Muddybum bikes in Rhiwbina. The guys from Muddybums were brilliant and taught us all how to change a tyre if we got a puncture and gave us a general over-view of how to look after our bikes and tips on how best to get through the challenge.

So I had the gear, I had the maintenance expertise, now I just needed to get on a bike!  

As time was short I only had time for one training ride, so Nia, Sue and I went for an evening ride on the lower part of the Taff Trail down to Cardiff Bay and back. We ended up doing 16 miles and I found it quite easy apart from a few wobbles and an argument with a peddle. I also learnt a few  lessons, namely keep my mouth shut as I swallowed a ton of flies, I need to work out how to use gears and put my padded trousers on the right way!

So with only one training ride under my belt, and the starting point of the Taff Trail agreed (just above Pontiscill Reservoir), myself and 12 lovely brave ladies started off at 9.30am in the pouring rain (a bit of a late start when most of us got a bit lost). As I was still fiddling with my phone strap, all the others set off and I was left behind with the husbands and cars. It did cross my mind to just jump back in the car – what an amazing practical joke that would be!!

The first part of the ride was fairly pleasant as the rain quickly stopped, there were some hills and I was still struggling with my gears but the time quickly went past as did the miles. Our first stop was the Dynevor Arms at Troedyrhiw almost 13 miles in, we timed it just right for opening time but although tempting to partake in an alcoholic beverage, most of us wanted a cup of tea! The chaps in the pub explained they didn’t have a kettle but were really lovely, and let us use their loo and fill up water bottles etc.

Even a horse came up to see the crazy bike ladies!

After a quick food break ranging, we set off again and only 5 minutes into the next stage, Catrin lost concentration and did a hilarious comedy fall, where she somehow dropped down off the path, panicked and braked, but her brakes were so powerful the bike stopped suddenly and flung her somersaulting over the top like a human and bike buckaroo!!! Luckily she did land on soft grass and was laughing! We were all so shocked and worried (well I was, after taking her photo first!). She was unhurt apart from a few cuts and bruises, so it did give us a laugh. The other funny part was when I followed Catrin down some steps by mistake and got the shock of my life! I also had to face my nemesis and had to cross a few scary bridges along the way, although it made me cycle like a bat out of hell to cross them!

 Other than the continuous cycling, chatting and scenery watching, the rest of the ride went pretty calmly. We stopped in Pontypridd and managed to find a Costa Coffee for a lunch stop approx 26 miles in. After a wee and refreshments we headed off again. This next stage was when it really hit home for me and turned much more painful with my hips and undercarriage becoming very uncomfortable. Luckily Sarah brought some strong Ibuprofen and when they started kicking in, it was more manageable. As with all the challenges I really thought it would have felt easier, I’m not sure what is wrong with my psyche that makes me think I can do all these things with no training, skill or general overall fitness!.

Eventually 12 of us started the ride, stuck together and supported each other throughout and all 12 of us finished together at the Deri pub in Rhiwbina! It felt amazing to see the pub, see all of our families welcoming us home and downing that first pint of lager! We did it in a ridiculously slow time (approx 6 hours) but we did it! No punctures and no injuries!

As always I am so surprised that my moment of madness coming up with these challenges has encouraged others to join me and join in on the craziness. I love that I am getting closer to friends I already know and making new friends along the way and am just so touched by everyone’s support.  So sitting here with aches and pains and a very tender undercarriage, (padded trousers were rubbish!) I am pleased and proud that another challenge is done!

Blog 19 – Over half way through the challenges…

Well I’m over half way through my year of challenges and have 5 months left to go! I have completed 15 challenges and still have a whopping 25 to go…eek! I have almost finished the most restrained 40 days of my life as I am on Day 38 of no chocolate and am currently sitting staring at a basket of chocolate eggs that I will be devouring next week. I have proved my determination once again at not giving in to the chocolate cravings but boy has it made me miserable. It is something I hope I never have to do again as life is tough enough without the pleasure of chocolate! And to make matters worse I didn’t even lose a pound in weight as stuffed my face with 2^nd rate choices of cakes and biscuits instead!!

Anyway that will be my 16^th challenge completed and as I am over half way through and feeling the pressure I thought I would have an update on the challenges remaining and completed;

CHALLENGES UNDERGOING:

Challenge 1 – WRITE 40 BLOGS – This is Blog 19 written.

Challenge 5 – RIDE 40 MILES ON BIKE – I with a number of other willing volunteers will be hoping to ride 40 miles on the Taff Trail on Sunday 27 April.

Challenge 6 – DO 40 SIT UPS EVERY DAY – I am managing to keep this up.

Challenge 7 – LEARN A 40 MOVE DANCE ROUTINE – I am hoping my mate Tracey is going to help me with this one.

Challenge 10 – TAKE 40 PHOTOS WITH 40 THEME – I have taken a photo for each completed challenge so have taken 15 so far.

Challenge 11 – READ 40 BOOKS – I am currently on Book number 27.  

Challenge 14 – 40 DATES WITH MY HUSBAND – We have currently had 21 dates.

Challenge 15 – LEARN A TOP 40 HIT ON THE UKELELE – I am massively struggling with this one, but think I have found someone who plays who can teach me the basics.

Challenge 17 – VISIT 40 PUBS – I have currently visited 25 pubs.

Challenge 20 – PARTY WITH 40 FRIENDS – I am hoping to celebrate my birthday with a party.

Challenge 21 – PUT £40 ON BLACK IN A CASINO – My brother and Sister-in-law did this in Las Vegas for me but I also need to do it in the UK.

Challenge 23 – SEE PLAY ON THE WEST END – I have booked to see a play in April.

Challenge 24 – AFTERNOON TEA AT THE RITZ – I have booked for this in May.

Challenge 26 – LOSE 14 POUNDS –aargh I’m really not sure I’m going to be able to do this?

Challenge 27 – CHOCOLATE CHALLENGE COMPETITION – this is planned for May.

Challenge 29 – WALK ACROSS A HIGH BRIDGE – I need to plan when I’m going to do this but I hope to walk over the top of the Newport Transporter Bridge.

Challenge 31 – GO ON THE BIG ZIPPER – This is booked for May.

Challenge 32 – ENTER A MUDRUNNER EVENT – This is booked for June.

Challenge 33 – TRY VODKA – not done yet.

Challenge 34 – ATTEMPT A WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT – not done yet.

Challenge 35 – COOK A NEW RECIPE EACH MONTH – I am keeping up to date with this but am still a rubbish cook!

Challenge 37 – GET 40 RETWEETS FROM ONE TWEET – Not done yet.

Challenge 39 – RECORD MY OWN MUSIC SINGLE – not done yet.

Challenge 40 – GET 40 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE CHALLENGES WITH ME – I am recruiting lots of people in a lot of the challenges, so think I might be able to achieve this one.

COMPLETED CHALLENGES:

Challenge 2 – GET 40 PEOPLE TO DONATE £10 – I managed to get 40 people to donate £10 to my Just Giving Fundraising page for RSPCA Cardiff.

Challenge 3 – RUN FOUR 10K RUNS IN 4 DAYS – I ran 40k between 2.13.14 – 5.3.14 with help from my friends. Cost £16 to enter the official St Davids Day Run.

Challenge 4 – SWIM 40 LENGTHS – Swan 40 lengths of the 50m pool in Cardiff Bay with Lara Ramsay on 27.10.13. (Money spent £16 for goggles and entry to pool)

Challenge 8 – SCORE 40 ON A DART BOARD WITH ONE DART – Got a double top on my 9^th try on 12.1.14

Challenge 9 – 40 HOUR FAST – I completed 40 hours not eating any food and surviving on water and flavoured water only. (Sept, with Karen Daniel)

Challenge 12 – VOLUNTEER FOR 40 HOURS - Aside from my RSPCA volunteering, 40 hours of my free time were given volunteering for NSPCC Childline Schools Service, PTA events and other fundraising events. 

Challenge 16 – 40 HOUR NO SWEARING OR £1 FINE – Completed between Tuesday 5 to Wednesday 6 November 2013. (Cost me £21)

Challenge 18 – TURN MOBILE PHONE OFF FOR 40 HOURS – I turned my phone off and had no access to facebook, twitter or emails at all for 40 hours. (Oct)

Challenge 19 – 40 HOUR SILENCE – Completed between Midnight on Thursday 14.11.13 until 4pm on Saturday 16.11.13.

Challenge 22 – ADOPTED A WILD ANIMAL – I adopted Jubilee an Asian Elephant through the Born Free Foundation. (Spent £30 for adoption fee)

Challenge 25 – GIVE BLOOD – Completed on 11.10.13.

Challenge 28 – COMMIT 12 ACTS OF KINDNESS TO RANDOM STRANGERS – Completed on 26.3.14.

Challenge 30 – APPLY FOR A GAME SHOW – I applied to the following game shows ‘Deal or No Deal’ ‘The Chase’, ‘Bargain Hunt’ and ‘The Guess List’, but have not actually made it onto any actual shows.

Challenge 36 – LISTEN TO ALL THE CD’S I OWN – 186 CDs were listened to from beginning to end.

Challenge 38 – HULA HOOP FOR 40 REVOLUTIONS – Completed in Sept. (Spent £18 on buying hoola hoop)

So thank you all for your continued support and wish me luck for the rest of the list!