A Beccles grandmother is literally throwing herself into a ring of fire after daring to take on a charity feat like no other.

Nanna Lay plans to hula hoop with fire in June to raise money for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital's Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal after seeing four friends go through treatment for cancer.

Her challenge will continue the following day with a 16- hour hula hoopathon. Mrs Lay, who is president of East Point Rotary Club in Lowestoft, was first given a hula hoop by her sister Helga Hybschmann during her charter night last June and the venture will mark the end of her presidential year.

She said: 'When I was made president I developed a motto of live better, live longer. My sister gave me a hula hoop to mark this and got up on stage and showed me how to use it. I couldn't do it to start with, but the next day I mastered it and I've been hooked ever since. I practise daily and I've even taken it on holiday.'

The mother of two decided she wanted to learn more so tracked down Norwich based Melanie Brown, of Flaming Melons, who is a hula hoop artist, performing in circuses and teaching children. Since then she has performed with her friend Bev Sampson at the Rotary Christmas party, produced a video and taught classes at Pakefield's Ferini Gallery.

Mrs Lay said: 'I heard about someone else who had hula hooped with fire and I decided to take myself out of my comfort zone and go for it.

'I have four friends affected by cancer at the moment and anything to make their lives and anybody else's life better is surely worthwhile.'

The hula hooping event will take place at the Hotel Victoria in Lowestoft on Tuesday, June 17, as part of a Rotary meeting. Five rods of fire will be attached to Mrs Lay's hula hoop, which she will demonstrate using her waist, arms and head.

The hula hoopathon, which won't involve fire, begins the next day when the sun rises at 4.29am at Ness Point in Lowestoft and will continue until it sets at 9.19pm. Friends, family and fellow Rotarian's have agreed to take part, but Mrs Lay hopes to attract more people. She said: 'I think I'm the first president in the entire world to ever attempt this in over 100 years since Rotary began.'

To sponsor Mrs Lay visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/nannalay3 or to take part call Peggy McGregor on 01502 713707.

•Are you doing something special to raise money for charity? Email louisa.lay@archant.co.uk