SUPERGRAN Mavis Paterson has set off on her longest fundraising challenge yet.
The 84-year-old is cycling across Scotland, a distance of 1030 miles – and she will celebrate her 85th birthday en route.
Mavis is taking on the challenge to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support and in memory of her children who tragically all died in the space of four years of each other: son Sandy died of a heart attack in 2012, daughter Katie of viral pneumonia in 2013, and Bob in an accident in 2016; all were in their 40s.
This in not Mavis’ first challenge as she famously entered the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest woman ever to cycle from Lands End to John o’ Groats in 2019 at the young age of 81. She raised £75,000 for the charity and was named as a Pride of Britain fundraiser of year finalist.
This time round, Mavis is aiming to raise £30k for the cancer support charity.
Mavis this week said: “I was thinking of MacMillan because they have lost millions because of covid.
“There was no people running marathons, no people climbing mountains and they had no income.
“I’m trying my hardest to raise as much as I can.
“I raised £76,000 on my previous challenge. But we’re looking for a challenge of £30,000. We have £11k already which is fantastic.
“Knowing how much has been raised and cycling in memory of my children will keep me going.”
Mavis admits training for the fundraiser has been “awful” but she’s feeling ready for the challenge which starts today. It is expected to last a month where Mavis will set off from the Mull of Galloway and will cycle up to the Highlands.
She said: “It’s still going to be very tough going but I’m excited to do it. I do think sometimes that I’m crazy for doing this but then I remember what I’m cycling for.
“I can’t go on living my life thinking about them all the time. I do think about them a lot but I’ve got to face life and take on the challenges which are a huge help to me.
“The last one I did was wonderful because it took my mind off of the children.”
* Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/page/grannymave1000 or by texting MAVIS to 70550 (to make a £5 single donation).
