A WOMAN tackled her fear of heights by climbing a mountain and sliding down a mile-long zip wire.

Kerry Gough, from Billericay, took the challenge 500- metres up in the Snowdonia mountains, in Wales, as part of a series of 12 fundraising challenges for charity.

The 36-year-old slid down the wire for Diabetes UK with husband Mark, 42, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was nine, and his 72-year-old father, Roger.

Mrs Gough said: “I was so nervous. When you look down from the top of the mountain it is terrifying, but it was amazing and when it was finished I wanted to do it all over again.”

As part of her 12 challenges in 12 months, she has also completed a walk over London’s O2 Arena, a Diabetes UK swimming event, Sports Relief swimathon and Sports Relief mile walk which she completed with her son, two-year-old Ollie.

Her total has already smashed her target of £2,014, with several more challenges to complete.

She added: “I can’t believe the amount I have raised already. Although I sometimes worry about the task ahead, the donations and the support of family and friends are spurring me on. We are doing many of the challenges as a family.

“Ollie is really enjoying helping me train and watching me complete vents.

“For Ollie, watching his dad takes his insulin is just part of everyday life and Mark is lucky 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 Type 1 diabetes and their families.”

On top of the challenges, Mrs Gough has also decided to mark the end of her fundraising with the 2015 London Marathon.

Her other events for the remainder of this year include the Great North Run.

Sharon Roberts, eastern regional manager for Diabetes UK, said: “What Kerry is doing is fantastic, not only for us through her fundraising, but also by raising awareness of the condition.”

The money she raises will be split between Diabetes UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Stroke Association.

To read more about her challenges, and to donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ challengekerry