Tarantula terror pays off (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tarantula terror pays off

A TEENAGER from Cirencester has found a really wild way to raise money for a school expedition.

Zoey Jones, 14, took part in a sponsored tarantula hold at the Cotswold Wildlife Park on Monday to help fund a trip to Poland.

The teenager, who lives in Fosse Close, is one of 19 youngsters from Kingshill School in Cirencester set to go on the trip in August.

Each student has to find £1,185 to get them to Poland but the funds have to be raised rather than simply finding a rich benefactor.

Zoey explained why she had decided to hold a tarantula as part of her fundraising.

She said: "I'm doing it because I'm absolutely terrified of spiders and all my friends and family know I am. I thought it would be a good way to overcome my fear and raise some money."

On the day Zoey bravely held a Red Legged Tarantula.

She said: "It went well but I was very scared. It was horrible, it was the worst having it on my shoulder first, I was really scared because it was right near my face."

But when staff at the Wildlife Park upped the stakes and unveiled a huge Salmon Pink Birdeater, Zoey wisely decided enough was enough.

She explained: "I just thought I didn't like the look of it, I didn't like the look of the small one but I held that."

Even though she is scared of all creatures with eight legs, Zoey confidently carried out her personal challenge and is ready to count her sponsorship money which she estimates to be between £350 and £450.

nd even though Zoey doesn't think her experience has made her like spiders any more she said: "I would do it again for charity."