Shortland St duo takes on Famine charity challenge

Lucy Elliott and Grace Palmer have formed a celebrity team for this year's 40 Hour Famine. Photo / Doug Sherring

Shortland Street stars Lucy Elliott and Grace Palmer are throwing themselves at the mercy of their fans to raise cash for charity.

The two have formed a celebrity team for this year's 40 Hour Famine - and they want viewers of the TV soap to get involved.

Founded in 1975, the World Vision fundraiser traditionally involves participants going hungry for 40 hours. But now other fundraising options include going phone free, taking a vow of silence and even living in a box for 40 hours.

Elliott and Palmer have opted to complete 40 tasks in 40 hours during the Famine - from May 22-24 - and are calling for job requests from fans in exchange for donations.

"We don't care if it is vacuuming someone's house or going out for dinner with people, as long as the money comes in we will give it a go," Palmer, who plays nurse Lucy Rickman, said. "I'd really love to go and visit schools and maybe help out kids with their homework because when I was at school it was really exciting when the 40 Hour Famine was on."

Elliott and Palmer will be in the Blue team for the World Vision event.

From next month they will start raising cash and taking requests via the Shortland Street Facebook page and social media.

"The hardest thing will be staying awake for 40 hours but lots of coffee and energy drinks should take care of that," said Elliott, who plays wayward teen Dayna Jenkins.

Money raised from this year's 40 Hour Famine will help children in Bangladesh.