A 'SUPERMUM' from Largs who lost an amazing seven and a half stones has completed a special charity challenge in memory of her dad.


Inspirational Joy Bruce ran 24 kilometres between Saltcoats and Largs - one kilometre for every person who dies every day in the UK from the illness that claimed her father's life.
Joy's father David died at 46 from pancreatic cancer when she was just a teenager and she has always wanted to fund research in tribute to him.
Joy committed to the challenge with support from her friend Joanna Findlayson, who joined her on the adventure.
Joy, of Moorburn Road, said: "After losing all that weight I had been doing more running and wanted to challenge myself. 
"I never thought I would be able to do a fundraiser like this when I struggled to walk because of my size.
"I have always wanted to do something to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
"My dad was only 46 when he passed away, which is so young. 
"Only now can I really appreciate how young that actually was."
The challenge almost never got out of the starting block after cancelled trains and road closures threatened to prevent the ladies getting to Saltcoats, before Joy's husband Jim came to the rescue.
Joy said: "Jim took us a very long diversion but we made it.
"I had been going to the gym and doing a lot of running and half marathons with Jo every week in preparation, so there was no way we were rescheduling."
Jim also arranged a special surprise at the finishing line on Largs Promenade as he played the bagpipes with daughters Beth, 12, and Lucy, seven, to celebrate the dynamic duo's arrival after two hours and 30 minutes.
Joy said: "It was a great surprise to be welcomed by everyone like that."

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Joy, a quality adviser with DSM in Dalry, added: "We had our pancreatic cancer awareness t-shirts on and we had bottles of water and jelly babies to keep us going!
"Jo was so supportive - she is a bundle of energy, great fun and was always encouraging me. 
"It helped make a sad situation better and really helped spur me on."
David worked for the MOD in Beith and died of the disease despite being a very fit and active person.
Joy added: "He didn't smoke or drink so it just goes to show that it can happen to anyone."
Joy paid credit to her Slimming World class leaders for the weightloss that made the run possible, as well as staff at the Vikingar gym.
She said: "At the start of this I even found walking a struggle.
"I never imagined then that I would run 15 miles, so the sense of achievement with so many people clapping and cheering me on at the finishing line was very special."
Speaking about the charity, Joy said: "November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and I'm still collecting.
"It’s unacceptable that more than half of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within three months."
To donate to the appeal, visit www.pcam.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/fundraisers/joybruce/in-memory-of-david-neil-campbell