A GROUP of superstar all-female fundraisers are celebrating ten years of charity bike rides on Cumbrae that have raised over £130,000 for good causes.

The group of women, mostly from the small village of Law in South Lanarkshire, came to the island for their first charity challenge in 2010 – raising over £22,000.

Now, 12 years later, the ladies have been back a further nine times - sometimes with a group up to 100-strong - to cycle the island.

Organiser Mairi McMinn kicked off the incredible drive on behalf of her daughter and says Cumbrae will always hold a special place in her heart.

She said: “My daughter has a rare genetic disorder called Williams Syndrome and I rounded up 50 women to raise money for the charity that supports people wit the condition. We hoped to raise £50 each and ended up with over £22,000.

“We did four cycles in total for that charity, and then a number of different ones over the years that people in our group felt close to.

“We have been to the island every year except for the two during Covid and the harsh winter storm of 2013 that closed off Cumbrae completely.

“That year we got a whole bunch of exercise bikes and completed the cycle virtually in Law Bowling Club, but it certainly wasn't the same!"

This year's could be the group's final fundraiser - and ended with a dip in the cold Millport waters to celebrate the ten-year milestone.

Mairi said: “This year's visit was was more of a celebration than a fundraiser.

“It was a really nice way to round off the ten years and I couldn’t have done it with a better group of people.”

Mairi has hailed the island community for always getting behind their efforts.

She said: “We have to thank staff at the Newton Bar, Millport Motors, Mapes and CalMac for all of their support.

“Everyone has been behind us right from day one with donations and help - we've been made so welcome over the years and raised more money than we could have ever imagined."

Mairi added: said: “I am so blessed to have so many great friends who just join in with whatever madcap idea I come up with every year.

“It never ceases to amaze me how generous people are, and it shows there are still plenty of good people around.

“This was likely our last and I will leave it to someone else to take over the fundraising baton.”

To donate to the recent dip for Roy Castle's Lung Cancer Trust go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mairi-mcminn6?