THREE Glasgow business advisors are taking on an epic cycle challenge – inspired by a colleague’s odds-defying battle against cancer.

Stuart Preston, Paula Fraser and Ross Lamont are tackling the Maggie’s to Maggie’s bike ride round Scotland – a total of 360 miles over four days – in honour of the charity who supported their friend Gill Hunter.

Gill, from Clarkston, was diagnosed with an aggressive stage three bowel cancer, which had spread to her lymph nodes, in 2013.

After spending nearly a month in hospital, most of it in the high-dependency unit, the financial advisor endured two emergency operations and survived peritonitis and pneumonia before she was finally given the all-clear from the disease in May this year.

Throughout her treatment, she gained support from her family, including son and daughter Adam and Lucy, and from Maggie’s which provides emotional support, information and advice to people with cancer and their loved ones.

Gill, who is a wealth advisory senior manager with Grant Thornton in Glasgow, explains: “My diagnosis came as a real shock to me.

“I spent around a fortnight suffering what I thought was a bad case of food poisoning, then I was given the news after finally relenting and visiting the hospital.

“During the treatment, a nurse suggested I visit Maggie’s Centres and my first reaction was to shrug it off as I associated it with people dying with cancer.”

She adds: “I was in a state of denial.

“But, as soon as I walked through the doors of the centre on the grounds of Gartnavel Hospital, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders.

“The volunteers and staff were there to provide a shoulder to cry on as well as real practical support to get you back on your feet and look and feel better.”

Gill adds: “It was a lifeline, and I couldn’t simply walk away after I was given the all-clear. I wanted to give something back to such a vital service.”

Gill successfully campaigned for Maggie’s to be Grant Thornton’s chosen charity in Scotland and in the last year, the firm has raised thousands of pounds through a variety of fundraising drives from bake-sales to abseiling off the Forth Rail Bridge.

The Maggie’s to Maggie’s Cycle Challenge is the latest venture and Gill – who will be joining the team for the last few miles when they reach Glasgow – is proud of her colleagues for taking it on.

“It’s absolutely amazing – a real challenge,” says Gill.

“I haven’t ridden a bike for 10 years so I won’t be doing the whole thing, but I’m hoping to join them for the last little bit before they arrive at Gartnavel.

“It’s huge – they will have cycled from Inverness, to Aberdeen, Dundee, Kirkcaldy, Edinburgh, Larbert, Airdrie and Glasgow, visiting all eight of the Scottish Maggie’s centres along the way.”

Gill is part of the support team who will be travelling alongside the cyclists – in transport kindly donated by the John Clark Motor Group – and meeting up with them at accommodation donated by Park Inn and Redwood Leisure in the evenings.

“It’s really exciting, and I think they will be warmly welcomed at the Glasgow Maggie’s when they arrive on the Sunday afternoon,” smiles Gill.

“I’m really impressed - I can’t wait to see them start off.”

Advisory director Stuart, who unlike his colleagues tax director Paula and tax manager Ross, has never tackled a huge sporting event before, adds: “Gill’s story is truly inspirational.

“She’s a really valued member of our team and has motivated and encouraged us all to do our bit to raise money for the charity.

“Maggie’s relies completely on donations from the public, so without support like this, existing and future patients would be denied the kind of help Gill benefited from.”

He adds: “The challenge ahead will be daunting for us and we’re now desperately getting as much training in as we can before we set off.

“This represents a great physical challenge and, with that comes a mixture of nerves and excitement, but we will do our absolute best, knowing that we’re helping a great cause.”

Sharon O’Loan, Fundraising and Development Director at Maggie’s, says: “Everyone at Maggie’s has been so inspired by Gill and we’re hugely grateful to her and all our friends at Grant Thornton for their amazing fundraising.

“The funds they raise will enable to us to continue to support the tens of thousands of people affected by cancer who come to Maggie‘s Centres across Scotland every year seeking our help.

“The Cycle Challenge is really exciting.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Stuart, Paula and Ross as their route takes them to all eight of our centres in Scotland – places which are calm, uplifting and inspiring spaces for everyone with cancer and their families and friends too.”

She adds: “We wish our intrepid cyclists the very best of luck in this fantastic fundraising initiative.”

The team has already raised more than £2,500, but is hoping to hit its target of £20,000 before the challenge completes on August 27. You can support them through their Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GTScotlandcyclechallenge.

For Gill, helping Maggie’s to continue its good work is something she remains passionate about.

“I turned 50 in June, just after my daughter turned 21, and after everything that had happened over the last four years, we wanted to celebrate in style,” she smiles.

“We had parties, went on holiday – it was fantastic.

“I didn’t want birthday presents so I asked people to donate to Maggie’s instead and we raised £770.”

She adds: “They helped me so much – and now, I’m feeling great, life is back to normal, and I want to help them in any way I can.”