She can’t put up a tent, doesn’t like camping and is no real fan of the great outdoors, yet Tracie Dempster is facing five days on a desert island where being self-sufficient is the only way to survive.

The 48-year-old, who is head of care at the EllenorLions Hospices chYps service, has taken on the bizarre charity challenge after another member of staff was forced to drop out.

Having handed over her passport details, the married mother of four grown-up children is now awaiting further details of her castaway mission, which will be sent to her just days before the challenge starts on September 22.

She said: “My children think it’s hilarious. I’m the most ‘uncamping’ person you have ever come across in your whole life.”

Tracie, who is based in Dartford, believes her chosen location could be an RSPB island somewhere off the coast of Dorset rather than a sunny spot in the Indian Ocean.

But in either England or East Africa, the team of 15 strangers will have to catch and cook their food, build shelters and take care of themselves with only the land and each other to provide for them.

Having supported the families of children with life-limiting conditions in north Kent for four years, Tracie hopes on a very small scale that the experience might just give her a slim insight into the ongoing fight her patients face.

She explained: “If I can get some resemblance of understanding about what it takes to survive I’m hoping I’ll be better at supporting them. That’s why I’m doing it.”

Tracie is hoping to raise £550. To support her sponsorship efforts visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/chypscastaways

Tracey Hill, who is head of support services, will be braving sub zero temperatures for an Arctic Survival Challenge in January.

Travelling to northern Sweden she will set up camp 150km from the Arctic Circle, which will become home for seven days.

Tracey, who has worked for EllenorLions for 15 years, will be joined by husband Simon, and together they hope to raise at least £5,000.

The pair will build their own shelter and hunt for food while braving temperatures of minus 35 degrees.

Keen skier Tracey, 49, said: “I know the challenge will be tough, but I wanted to do this to support our fantastic fundraising team.”

To help raise funds, Tracey will be holding an auction of celebrity memorabilia at the EllenorLions Hospice in Northfleet, on October 19 from 7pm.