THE sister of a serving soldier is using her culinary skills to boost a cause close to her heart.

Kayleigh Tipling, of Ramblings Recipes, served up food in Gourock in aid of a mental health charity which has been set up by Pride of Britain competition winner Paul Minter.

Earlier this year the former military man joined forces with Kayleigh's family in Greenock during a stop over here while he was on a record-breaking run round the UK coastline.

Paul is a close friend and former comrade of Sergeant Mark Tipling from Greenock, who still serves in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

To show her support for his charity efforts, Kayleigh served up Asian inspired food from the McGilps pop-up shop in Gourock town centre, in return for donations to the charity.

Kayleigh said: "We wanted to do all we could to support Paul's charity and raise money.

"I have suffered from my own mental health problems, caused by stress and anxiety, and I think what he is doing is incredible.

"With the family link it is a charity I care so much about and Paul is inspirational.

"We are also very proud of Mark and all that he has achieved, and he has been very supportive of Paul."

Through his charity, Head Up, Paul is looking to open a retreat for ex-servicemen after tragically losing 11 friends, who had all seen action in conflicts, to suicide within a short space of time.

He attended the national Pride of Britain awards to receive a regional award for his fundraising in aid of servicemen and women.

Paul said: "A huge thank-you to Kayleigh for her continued support to the charity and promoting better mental health.

"As a co-founder of Head Up it gives me great pleasure to know people are supporting our cause far and wide."

Kayleigh devoted all the money she made on the first day of her stint in the pop-up to the charity.

The 34-year-old was inspired to experiment with tastes while travelling.

She said: "A few years ago I volunteered in a children's hospital in Vietnam.

"It was life changing and I was inspired to follow my own path in cooking.

"I fell in love with the flavours in Vietnam.

"Cooking is a way for me to relax, but I love doing it for others and to see their reactions.

"I like to share the joy of food."