A MUM who took on 12 gruelling challenges in 12 months has raised £3,000 for charity and made 2014 a year to remember.

Kerry Gough, 37, of Greenfields Close, Billericay, was inspired by her husband Mark, 43, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just nine years old.

Her year of challenges ended with a festive Santa run in Gloucester Park, Basildon, earlier this month, and a circus-style swing trapeze in November, which was her most terrifying feat to date.

Throughout the year Mrs Gough, who is mum to two-year-old son Ollie, also completed the London to Southend bike ride, took on a mile-long zip wire in the Welsh mountains, walked over the top of London’s O2 Dome and pushed herself to the limit in the Sports Relief Swimathon.

The cash she has raised will be split between Diabetes UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Headfirst, which funds research into head injuries, strokes and brain damage.

Mrs Gough, an estates manager, said: “The trapeze was without doubt the scariest challenge. I had to climb up three ladders to get to a tiny platform before being hooked on to the bar.

“My mouth was dry with fear. I had several practise runs of swinging into a ‘hanging from knees’ position before somersaulting off the trapeze. Once timings had been worked out, I then went onto a full catch, so everything had to work otherwise I would have been on the floor – well the net.”

Her 72-year-old father-in-law, Roger, also took on the zip wire, and husband Mark and Ollie have also been by Mrs Gough’s side during some of the other challenges.

She added: “My 12 challenges in 12 months have seen me walk, cycle, swim, run, paddle and literally fly through the air for charity. I have spent most of this year in lycra inspired by my husband and close friends to raise as much as I could for three amazing charities.

“For Ollie, watching his Dad take his insulin is just part of everyday life and Mark is lucky that his health is good. But funding research into the causes and a potential cure of Type 1 diabetes would make such a massive difference to the lives of people living with it and their families.”

Sharon Roberts, regional manager for Diabetes UK, said: “What Kerry has done is fantastic. Not only has she raised vital funds but has also raised awareness of the condition.

“No one knows exactly what causes Type 1 diabetes, but it’s not to do with being overweight and isn’t currently preventable.

However, people like Kerry help us fund pioneering research which aims to create a world without diabetes funding research towards a possible cure in the future.”

To donate, visit uk.vir ginmoneygiving.com/chal lengekerry