Stella Hopkins Picture: STUART HARRISON Ref: 76850-163AN island castaway from Swindon is embarking on a challenge of a lifetime.

Stella Hopkins, of Park North, will be taking part in the Anthony Nolan Trust's Island Survival Challenge Trophy 2005.

And, she says she can't wait to go.

The Island Challenge is a five day long event which will abandon 24 people on a remote island off the south coast.

They will have limited food and are only allowed to take with them two basic luxury items.

Stella, 54, is newly single and has decided to enter this new phase of her life by doing something different. She said: "I am getting older and this sort of thing is something I've always wanted to do."

The contestants will have daily challenges to keep them occupied which will become harder as tiredness and hunger sets in.

But Stella is not worried.

The administrator, who has worked at Swindon's police headquarters for the last 31 years, said: "Mentally I am prepared for the challenge."

During the week, the 24 contestants will be divided into teams of six and will learn about basic survival techniques and bushcraft.

Stella said: "I'm looking forward to seeing how I will cope and how I will work with a team of people."

Each contestant is asked to raise a minimum of £800 and Sharon Wells, Wiltshire area appeals manager for the Anthony Nolan Trust, is hoping the event will raise more than £25,000.

She said: "Everyone who has been on these survival weeks were absolutely overwhelmed with everything they learnt and made very good friends, most of whom, wished the event had been longer."

Lyndsay Scanlan