Lower Broughton's Veronica Tyson and Ordsall's Tess McDonald didn't quite know what this week would bring as they were about to enter the Grosvenor Casino in Ordsall for seven days and seven nights, with some strange tasks ahead...
"We know some of the things we'll be doing" said Veronica "We have to read Fifty Shades of Grey and get tested on it; we have to learn Spanish and French, and how to play the guitar. We'll be doing aerobics with one of the managers, and washing and cleaning customers' cars for a price..."
They will also be trying to break some world records involving hooplas and picking up sweetcorn with a tooth pick, and, by the end of the week, maybe breaking a record for the longest continuous time spent in a casino as well.
Indeed, the pair, who normally work at the casino, will be living, playing and sleeping in the Grosvenor, while gamblers are chancing their pockets in front of them. Tess and Veronica hope that at least some of the pennies that are swirling around the place find their way into the charity buckets for the Carers Trust...
"Basically we're doing this to raise money for the Carers Trust, and the Grosvenor Casinos are a sponsor of the charity" Veronica explained "Every year we do a 24/7 event because carers work 24 hours, seven days a week. Last year we did a million chip pick up and this we year wanted to do something different so it's a Big Brother style thing where two of us live in the casino."
For this challenge, staff will be `caring' for Veronica and Tess for the week, to give them a taste of how it is to look after someone full time.
"I've cared for my mum and dad and a neighbour, and we want to bring the charity to the forefront because many people wouldn't think of giving to the Carers Trust" Tess reflected "We're not allowed out of the casino complex and if we want anything the staff have to get it for us as well as providing all our meals and drinks."
The Carers Trust is there for unpaid carers and provides access to desperately-needed breaks, information, advice and education, and helps them to maintain their own health and wellbeing and support them so they do not feel isolated.
"Our company sponsors the Carers Trust and the 24th July is a national celebration day for the charity, so we do something that involves 24/7" explained Grosvenor manager Paul Baines "Last year we picked up one million gaming chips in 24 hours and seven minutes, and I said to Tess `Wouldn't it be a good idea if we all cared for you, and you came and stayed here'. From there it gathered momentum and we all got involved.
"They're not allowed to lift a finger so we're all going to know what it's like to be carers for the week - because if you are a carer you don't get a break" he added "It's to honour the carers who are out there, and raise as much money as we can."
Being away from the outside Salford world is going to be a new experience for the pair of casino-livers...
"My biggest challenge is not being able to see my grandchildren for a week because I see them every day" sighed Tess.
"My biggest challenge will be living with Tess because I don't really like her" laughed Veronica.
You can support Tess and Veronica through their trials and tribulations by donating to the Carers Trust through their Just Giving page – click here
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