A KENDAL woman who set out to complete 40 things at the age of 40 has ticked her final challenge off the list.

Gina Pennington's challenges have seen her baring all, busking, meeting Michel Roux Jnr and most recently taking to the sky in a helicopter for the very first time.

"It's been a great achievement and I didn't for a minute think people would be so on board," said Gina, a sales manager at Farrers Wholesale. "I call it my fabulist because it wasn't a bucket list as I didn't intend on dying anytime soon!"

The helicopter ride marked the final stage to her 40 strong wish list which she wrote out when she turned 40 in 2013.

But it wasn't plain sailing as the ride was delayed while the gear box was replaced and the weather was "against" her.

"It was last minute," she said. "I was picked up at Newby Bridge and went up the Langdales, to Hawkshead, Coniston and then the Duddon Valley.

"It felt like I was on a fair ground ride - it was amazing seeing the Lakes from that perspective.

"I've done 11 Wainwrights since January 2012 so it was really nice to see them from a different view point.

"I wasn't really scared and I don't know whether it's age but I tend to embrace things."

And Gina has not been alone in achieving her goal.

She added: "It helps having a friend who owns a helicopter!

"Through social media I've had a lot of support from people and I've inspired others to do things.

"A guy on Twitter was working as an outdoors instructor at Bendrigg Lodge and he came out and set up two abseiling courses - I thanked him with my famous brownies and beer!"

She was also lucky enough to be insured on her friend's Porsche which she drove around the Lake District.

And despite finishing her to do list following some minor technical hiccups, Gina turned 41 in July this year and has no plans to stop.

"It's made me think I would like to do lots of other things," she said. "I've got 60 new ones which are ongoing and anyone can suggest anything but they have to be prepared to do it themselves or with me!"

For more information on Gina's 40 to 40, visit www.adventuresofcumbrianblondie.co.uk