Time flies when you’re having fun – and 2014 was a whirlwind of crazy capers and derring-dos for Mandy Hearle.

Last January – at the start of her 365-day fundraising adventure – Mandy said she hoped to collect at least £1,000 for her chosen charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF or Doctors Without Borders).

But, having accepted a year’s worth of sponsored dares, including painting her Woodbridge home and car bright pink, eating cat food, leaping into a freezing River Deben and donning a variety of outlandish costumes, she raised an incredible £15,000.

Mandy was spurred on during MissionPossible2014 by the ceaseless generosity of friends and strangers, and by the memory of an inspiring student, Poppy Harvey.

The challenge was launched in tribute to the 19-year-old, who died in 2010 when she suffered a fatal allergic reaction to food.

The eldest daughter of Mandy’s friends Marcia and Steve, Poppy had been studying to become a doctor and wanted to work with MSF.

Tinged throughout by Poppy’s favourite colour, the pink-themed venture will live long in Mandy’s memory.

She said: “I would like to offer my inestimable thanks to everyone who followed, encouraged, cheered, gave, laughed and kept it all going.”

Mandy, a receptionist at Deben Pool, gave special thanks for the continued support of Poppy’s family, as well as the team at Barretts furniture store, haart estate agents, John Olivers, Jewson, Fat Face, and James Neal, of Neals estate agents and auctioneers, for staging an auction of donated lots that raised £1,500 in one day.

Another constant companion along the way was Mandy’s pet cat, Rupert.

MSF has been at the heart of the west African Ebola crisis since last March. The death toll from the outbreak has risen to more than 8,000.

You can still support the campaign by making a donation at justgiving.com/Poppysmission possible2014

You can also see the last year of dares in pictures by visiting facebook.com/missionpossible2014