Staff from a local fast fit centre are lending their support to a Croydon woman who is aiming to trek across China in order to raise more than £5000 for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

Managers and fitters from the Hi-Q store based on Purley Way, presented a cheque for £300 to Linda Mahoney who has been raising money on www.justgiving.com/lindamahoney website.

Linda is hoping to gain as many donations as possible in order to raise the funds needed for her much awaited trip to China on 12th May 07 until 21st May 07 to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

All money received will be distributed to branches of the MS Trust to support sufferers and families affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

The money donated by the store was part of the Hi-Q community fund which aims to support good causes in communities close to its network of stores nationwide.

Store manager, Matthew Moore was pleased to be able to support a charity with such far reaching benefits: "After speaking with Linda I realised that the trek to China was something very close to her heart and that it is definitely that something Hi-Q would like to support. Everyone at the store agreed and so we were thrilled to dedicate our community fund to such a worthy cause."

Just Giving' is the leading charity fundraising website, enabling ordinary people to raise money for a cause they care about. Since its launch in 2001, charities that are members of the website have collected in excess of £100 million in online donations.

Linda Mahoney has been overwhelmed with the support given by Hi-Q and other local groups: "My target is £5000 of which nearly £4000 has already been raised. People continue being extremely generous. I can't do this without their generosity, but together we are achieving great things. My husband was diagnosed with MS 11 years ago, since then we have coped with his increasing disability and job loss.

"This trek on behalf of the MS Trust is very close to my heart and I would thank you to all the people who have pledged their support so far, and to those who will be doing so in the future."

Hi-Q Croydon is part of a national network of leading automotive and fast-fit stores nationwide. For further information or to book an appointment call 020 8681 4980.

If you would like to donate to the Just Giving appeal, please visit click here.