WHEN Tina Simpkins started raising money for Mencap earlier this year, she never dreamed she would achieve so much.

It was the first time the Penhill newsagent had tried fundraising for charity, which is why she is so pleased that in the space of seven months she has raised more than £4,000.

Mrs Simpkins, 38, has been undertaking a variety of tasks and events to raise the cash. Last month, she even found the courage to scale a 30ft high climbing wall, even though she is terrified of heights.

The idea to raise money for Mencap, the charity which helps people with mental disabilities, first came to her in February when she was told that TM Retail, the company which owns the Forbuoys newsagents which she and husband David run, had adopted it as their charity for the year.

She said: "I have never really though about raising money for charity before. But when I heard the company would be raising for Mencap, I just thought I really wanted to do something to help."

The charity is close to her heart because members of her family, including her niece and sister-in-law, suffer from mental health problems.

What's more, when she was a youngster she went to a special needs school.

She said: "I had a problem with my balance and I used to fall over a lot. It was actually a problem with my legs, which I still have a little bit, but at that time it was decided that if I went to a normal school then I might find it difficult, so I was sent to a special school."

To help Mencap, she organised a colouring competition, raffles, the sponsored climb, collections and sales.

Mrs Simpkins said: "When I started to raise money, I had no idea I would collect so much. I am just so overwhelmed. At the minute I have collected £4,040 since February, which is just fantastic."