Mum "Stands Up To Cancer" with tarantula challenge (From Watford Observer)

Mum "Stands Up To Cancer" with tarantula challenge

5:30pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Amie Mulderrig, Features Writer

A Garston woman stood up to cancer this afternoon, by facing her ultimate fear – allowing tarantulas to crawl on her bare skin.

Crowds of Veronica Montgomery’s friends came to support the 41-year-old at Farmyard Funworld, at the Lincolnsfield Centre in Bushey, as she took part in the fundraiser for cancer research.

Stand Up To Cancer is being brought to the UK for the first time by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.  It will unite scientists, celebrities and communities across the UK to generate funds, raise awareness and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

One-in-three people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives.  Stand Up To Cancer aims to raise money to accelerate groundbreaking research to help more people survive and ensure more families stay together.  

Miss Montgomery, who admits being absolutely terrified of the eight-legged creepy crawlies, said she was a nervous before taking part in the challenge.

The Sheepcote Lane resident said: “I am absolutely petrified of spiders, I can’t even remove them from my house without calling someone to help me and getting into a panic.

“I’ve lost my mum and dad to cancer, my sister Helen has been diagnosed with breast cancer and she lost her husband to cancer.

“Spiders are my a huge fear for me, I have arachnophobia, but it’s not as great as the fear I have of getting cancer or even other relatives getting cancer like other members of my family.

“We’ve had such bad luck, but if Stand Up To Cancer can help find a cause it will make facing my fear worthwhile.”

First out of duty manager Kevin Tyler’s box was the skin shed by a small tarantula, which Miss Montgomery, slightly shaking, held in her hands.

Next up was Rose, the Chilean Rose tarantula, which crossed over Miss Montgomery’s palms, followed by Rouge the female Mexican Redknee tarantula.

Miss Montgomery revealed that someone had offered her £100 if she would put the redknee spider on her face and gamely she accepted the challenge.

As its thick hairy legs crossed over her lips and onto her cheek, Miss Montgomery exclaimed: “This is most horrible experience ever- I can’t even open my mouth to scream.”

But the Watford mother’s ordeal was far from over as she was handed tarantula Penny, which bore a striking resemblance to a large house spider.

Managing to complete the challenge, Miss Montgomery revealed that she has raised more than £2,000 to date, with donations still being made on her Just Giving page.

She said: “I’ve not conquered my fear, I’m still petrified of spiders, but I’m glad I’ve been able to do my bit and Stand Up To Cancer.”

To sponsor Veronica Montgomery visit: www.justgiving.com/Veronica-Montgomery

To find out more about Stand Up To Cancer visit: standuptocancer.org.uk