Scott Hutton, of Lochwinnoch, took on the largest timed bike race in the world with 12 pals and 45,000 other riders to raise money for local charity Finding Your Feet, set up by Scott’s sister in June 2013.

A group of 12 MAMILS (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) conquered the notorious Cape Argus Cycle Challenge in South Africa last weekend (March 8) — smashing their £10,000 fundraising target.

And while wild fires caused the authorities to close many of the roads, reducing the race from the official 109km route to 47km, the Finding Your Feet team refused to be thwarted — they finished the race, before proceeding to cycle another 62km on their own to make up the distance.

Corinne, 44, a single mum-of-one, had her hands and feet amputated in June 2013 after contracting septicaemia.

Now walking on prosthetic legs and awaiting the UK’s first double hand transplant later this year, Lochwinnoch mum Corinne runs the charity which offers support to those who need help finding their feet after life-changing physical trauma, by means of financial assistance, advice and emotional support.

Scott, who due to work commitments, covered four continents in the four days leading up to the event, said: “Our training in Dubai was on the flat so the hardest part was definitely the steep inclines. But the breath-taking scenery made it more bearable.

“The fires were a tragedy and the emergency services did a fantastic job to ensure the safety of the riders. We were prepared to cycle the full 109km so when the race was shortened we decided to simply keep cycling and make up the distance. The support has been overwhelming and we hope the money we raise will help others who faced with physical trauma.” The cycle has this year been named the Solidarity Tour due to the fires and in support of the emergency services. The spectacular route took in Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park, Cape Argus, the Cape of Good Hope and Falls Bay.

Scott, originally of Lochwinnoch but who now works as a lawyer in Dubai, gathered close friends and cycling enthusiasts to take on the challenge in aid of the charity and has raised in excess of £13,000, though further sponsorship is welcomed.

Since losing her limbs 18 months ago, Corinne has walked a mile through Glasgow city centre, fulfilled a lifelong ambition to run up the ‘Rocky Steps’ in Philadelphia, ridden a motorcycle, had regular skiing lessons and is soon to learn to fly a single engine propeller plane.

Known as Scotland’s ‘bionic mum’, she has raised over £200,000 for Finding Your Feet which has recently received the backing of Hollywood A-listers including Mel Gibson, Robert Carlyle, Gerard Butler, Vinnie Jones, Andy Murray, Lorraine Kelly, Scotland Captain Greig Laidlaw and Ford Kiernan — all of whom have donated their signed handprints to highlight the cause. These will be exhibited and auctioned off to raise funds in 2015.

In January, Corinne travelled to Dubai to meet those taking part in the challenge and offer some encouragement. She told The Gazette: “Before my illness, I loved taking on challenges for charity and completed numerous marathons.

“You never think the tables will turn and that you will become the charity. I am so grateful to all the fundraisers and challengers out there who are helping others who find themselves in my position. If some good can come of my illness, it’s the opportunity to give something back to those who need a support network like that which I benefited from. The lads did a phenomenal job and to cycle the additional 62km in order to make up the distance is simply humbling.” The team of cyclists included Scott Hutton, Steve Lankester, Jim Leggate, David MacKenzie, Jason Sole, Sean Turner, Tim Davies, Richard Worker, Mark Billinge, Mark Popplewell.