INEOS tends to donate directly to charities doing the work it most values, rather than supporting adventurous individual fundraising feats- but sometimes, it considers exceptional cases.
One of these arose in early 2019, when remarkable pensioner Mavis Paterson got in touch about her plans to become the oldest woman to cycle the UK’s famous Land’s End (Cornwall) to John O’Groats (Scotland) cycle route- a challenging and often hilly 960 miles.
A spirited 81-year old Scotswoman who had started supporting Macmillian Cancer Support years earlier after losing her mother and sister to cancer, Mavis decided to continue fundraising for the organisation after tragically losing all three of her adult children within four years to accidents and unforeseen health complications. She focussed her grief around an audacious sense of purpose, and set out to raise £20,000 for Macmillan’s work providing specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer.
As well as INEOS donating £10,000 to her cause, the newly acquired Team INEOS cycle team got behind Mavis’ efforts. Representing some of the best riders in the world, they provided her motivational videos, gear for the ride, and amplified her message to millions across the UK and beyond through social media channels.
The journey was not without its challenges for Mavis, and the start delayed by health conditions of her own, but determination drove her on. She finished the 1,027-mile route triumphantly in 24 days and succeeded in taking the title of oldest woman to cycle the distance.
She gained national publicity on radio and television news and breakfast shows BBC Breakfast Good Morning Britain, and ended up raising over £80,000 for Macmillan.
