Gran, 85, who outlived her three children cycling 1,000 miles for charity

By Sarah Ward via SWNS

An 85-year-old gran who lost all her adult children in their 40s is cycling around Scotland in their memory - and raised nearly £55,000 ($67,700 USD) for charity.

Gran-of-three Mavis Paterson set off on April 29 and hopes to finish on May 29.

She uses cycling as a distraction from the loss of her three adult children.

Mavis celebrated her 85th birthday with a party in Moffat, Scottish Borders, on May 24 before persevering on her trek.

Wild weather proved a major challenge and on May 4 in Ballahulish, near GlenCoe, Highlands, she was nearly blown over.

Generous donors have raised £54,349 ($66,927) for Macmillan Cancer Support, although none of Mavis' children died from cancer.

Her son Sandy died of a heart attack aged 43, Katie died from viral pneumonia aged 49, and Bob died aged 47 in an accident.

Mavis, from Auchenmalg, Dumfries and Galloway, is close to her grandchildren and has a big support network of friends.

She said losing a child is an unrecoverable form of loss.

Mavis said: "I start cycling at 9 am and finish at 5 pm.

"When I was training the weather was horrible but I had to just get out and do it."

"It's just beautiful and the people are so nice.

"I've got no surviving children, they were all taken and left me.

"I've had to cope with it and cycling has helped."

"I remember saying to Katie 'imagine losing a child.' That's happened to me now.

"Before Bob died I thought 'we'll have each other.'

"I'll never get over what's happened to me."

"I'm raising money for Macmillan as my sister and mum both had cancer.

"I've got wonderful grandchildren and wonderful friends."

"It's cruel all that's happened to me...My cycling helps.

"When I'm talking to people it's like therapy.

"The worst thing as a parent is losing a child.

"You can get over the death of your husband, or your mother and father, but losing a child lives with you forever."

In 1991 Mavis got into cycling after years of running marathons when her knees became a bit dodgy.

She has also cycled across America and Canada wild camping.

Mavis said: "I must thank all my supporters, it's been amazing."

To donate visit here.