A DETERMINED 96-year-old is preparing to take part in a sponsored walk – aided by her zimmer frame – to raise funds for a Dalmuir community group.

Patsy Allison, from Drumchapel, attends Golden Friendships three or four times a week after hearing about it through her daughter.

The pensioner said she is “delighted” to have found out about the club and loves to go that much that she gets three buses there and back.

Patsy said: “I love the support and friendship I get going to the club. There is always someone to talk to.”

Raising funds for the group was an idea that Patsy came up with herself. She wants to give something back after getting made to feel so welcome and comfortable when attending.

Jim McLaren, Golden Friendships’ founder, said: “Patsy told me she wanted to do a sponsored walk for the club, and I offered her the opportunity to take part in ours in February/March time.

“I told her I would get her a mobility scooter and she told me that she may be fragile but she’s not senile and when she says walk, she means walk.”

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Patsy is so determined to complete her own sponsored walk, she has already practised and is arranging for the real thing soon after the new year.

Instead of three buses to the club, Patsy will get two and walk the rest of the route – from the Clydebank Co-op at the shopping centre, to Nairn Place – accompanied by her zimmer.

The OAP completed it in 45 minutes during her practice run and is determined to beat this the next time round.

The mother of seven, gran to seven, great-gran to five and great-great-gran to two loves to go out walking.

Patsy’s family, who are all very proud and amazed by her, say she loves Jim to bits. They added that she loves the club and always gets up to sing and dance along – using her zimmer.

After speaking to Patsy’s family, Jim has arranged to accompany the pensioner during her sponsored walk and take her for a well-deserved lunch afterwards.

Golden Friendships members and the general public are all rooting for Patsy and a fundraising page has been set up to support her, as well as a sponsor sheet.

To make a donation, please visit localgiving.org/fundraising/patsy-96/ or pop in to the Golden Friendships Community Halls.