A performing arts student will cycle 100 miles in memory of his mother who died from ovarian cancer.
Stevie Johnston, 47, is taking part in Pedal for Scotland’s 20th anniversary of the Big Belter 100 mile cycle to raise funds for The Eve Appeal - a charity raising awareness and funding research into the five gynaecological cancers.
The dad-of-three lost his mum when he was just four-years-old and has struggled to come to terms with the loss and never fully knowing her.
Stevie, of Ayr, said: “I missed out on all the things a mother would do for their little boy.
“She never saw me grow up or put a plaster on my knee; I never heard her say good-night or I love you.
“I think about her everyday.
“Although I am now 47, I have suffered from her loss for all this time without help or understanding of what had happened.
“I have no recollection of being sat down and told of my mother’s passing.
“I’ve always wanted to know more about her but I’ve struggled to ask for help.
My dad was working full time and had a mortgage to pay.
“I never asked any questions; I think my dad was so busy trying to protect us from my mothers death and it was rarely discussed.
“It’s harder because I don’t remember and there’s loads of questions I want to be answered.
In 2017, Stevie was tested positive for the Brca1 gene, the gene his mother carried and ultimately died from.
Stevie said: “I cried when I found out.
“I don’t know what it does to a guy. What I can be positive about is the advances in treatment and medications that give people a far better chance in life than in 1976.”
Now the wannabe actor is pushing his boundaries and taking on the mammoth challenge to help further research gynaecological cancer prevention.
He said: “I like challenges and I am a bit of an adventurer, so I will be doing it on a mountain bike. And I feel it only right to help with the charity and hope that others will also seek help with losing a parent at a young age. I want to do it for my mum.”
To sponsor Stevie click here.
