A meal with family, cocktails with friends, a pampering spa day or catching a show are some of the popular ways to mark a milestone birthday.

Eastern Daily Press: Hayley McConnell is doing 50 fabulous things to mark her 50th birthday. At the Cake International show in London - the Avatar is a cake!Hayley McConnell is doing 50 fabulous things to mark her 50th birthday. At the Cake International show in London - the Avatar is a cake! (Image: Archant)

But one mum has chosen to do all these and much more as she prepares to turn 50, after organising a 12-month project to celebrate her special birthday.

Alongside the usual celebrations Hayley McConnell has signed up for a string of charity challenges to mark her landmark year - including organising a huge gathering of Hayleys in Norwich later this month.

Hayley, from West Caister, turns 50 in December but has been celebrating her big day since February.

The mum-of-one has come up with her Fifty Fabulous Things challenge as she wanted to make up for previous disappointing birthdays and to distract her from the prospect of reaching her half century.

'People often start thinking of doing some things on their bucket list when they retire. I'm thinking of doing some things on mine now as a way of celebrating being 50 and to try and numb how bad that feels,' she said.

'Because my birthday's in December no-one's ever got any time or money to celebrate and I always joke and say I'll be like the Queen and have a birthday in the middle of the year.'

So far Hayley, a web manager and keen baker, has enjoyed day trips and activities with friends and family, including a ride on the Emirates Air Line cable car in London, taking part in a cheerleading class, getting up close and personal to some meerkats and going on a cocktail making masterclass, which 'was pretty good apart from the headache the next day'.

She is now concentrating on her charity challenges and aiming to raise £5,000 for cancer charity Macmillan, the first fundraiser being a mass gathering of fellow Hayleys.

The idea to meet up with 50 Hayleys was suggested by a friend and she has organised the get together at the Forum in Norwich on July 19. All those who take part will proudly wear an 'I am Hayley' t-shirt, the proceeds of which will help boost her charity coffers.

She has been in touch with women from across the county, and further afield, but is keen to hear from more Hayleys to make sure she hits her target 50.

'I have had lots of interest and I have contacted famous Hayleys on Twitter, including Julie Hesmondhalgh who plays Hayley in Coronation Street,' she said.

After the gathering Hayley will be preparing to run the Marriotts Way 10km and has plans to bake a gigantic Norfolk-themed cake that she can auction off.

She has also organised a games night in September, featuring replicas of Play Your Cards Right, Deal or No Deal and The Chase.

And rather than being fazed by her activity, she said family and friends were used to her charity challenges.

She added: 'I'm always doing mad things, like paddling in a canoe dressed as a fairy, I don't think they're that surprised.'

For more details of Hayley's upcoming activities - and to sign up for I Am Hayley - visit www.facebook.com/FaftyFabulousthings. Or to support her with a donation visit www.justgiving.com/profile/hayleymcconnell