Steadfast CEO Robert Kelly got hands-on with biting mealworms to top the Dare to Cure leaderboard and raise more than $135,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute.

He took on the mystery box challenge and encountered the vicious worms, plus frogs, cockroaches, snakes and tarantulas.

“With the worms, I thought, this is pretty simple, a bit slimy,” Mr Kelly told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“You feel a little kiss on your skin, and then bang, the bastards bite you.”

This year marked the fifth time Mr Kelly has taken part in Dare to Cure, which aims to tackle childhood cancer by encouraging business leaders to face their fears.

“Treatment for childhood cancer is improving, but many times, even after the cancer is cured, children can face a lifetime of problems,” he said.

“It is uplifting to see dedicated scientists working just on childhood cancer, and taking part in Dare to Cure is one small way we can help.”

This year’s event has raised $1.69 million so far, just short of its $1.75 million target.

You can still sponsor Mr Kelly here.