A DETERMINED aunt took to her bike earlier this year to raise a massive £16,000 for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) who cared for her nephew.

Amber Betison embarked on a 50 mile cycle from the Kelpies to Robin House in Balloch, ending her ride with a head shave, in honour of her three-year-old nephew, Clinton Pringle from Glasgow, who tragically died after he was run over as he entered Millennium Town Park in St Helier, Jersey.

Helping to raise money were The Robertson Trust and Amber's employers, The Edrington Group, based on Great Western Road, who both generously matched the first £5,000 she raised, with Amber raising in total £6,000.

The cheque was handed over to CHAS, who provide care for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions in Scotland. Clinton and his family stayed at the Rainbow Room in Robin House, until the days before his funeral after he was brought back to Scotland.

Of her cycle, Amber said: “Clinton loved The Kelpies and I got the idea after I remembered a sponsored walk I had taken part in years ago in memory of Catherine Havelin from Temple, she was only eight-years-old and killed by a drink driver. On that occasion we walked 40 miles from Falkirk to Bowling to raise money for school for deaf children.

“I wanted to thank CHAS for the support they gave to Stacey and Michael. The cycle was a breeze, it was a challenge but we were eating handfuls of Haribo sweets to keep us going. It felt as if Clinton was helping us along and it was a great feeling to do it.”

Clinton's death has prompted campaigners to call for changes to the “shared space” design around the park which has the appearance of a pedestrianised area but also allows vehicles to use it. Around the UK campaigners are calling for a moratorium on the installation of these types of road schemes from both the Scottish and Westminster governments.

Amber was joined on her journey from the Falkirk landmarks to the country park in Balloch by a number of other riders, including Clinton’s aunts, papa, uncle and his dad Michael who completed part of the course on the National Cycle Network route along the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Stacey and Amber are pictured handing over cheques totalling £17,308 to Scott Maxwell of CHAS. The other £1,308 was taken in donations at Clinton’s funeral.

Clinton's mum, Stacey, said: “I would like to thank Amber for doing this to raise money for Robin House, and everyone else who helped in any way.

"The cycle was challenging enough so I was shocked when she said she was going to have her hair shaved off at the end. She is very brave but it’s for a great cause.

"The staff at CHAS were a great help to us following Clinton’s death and they have continued to support us emotionally since then.”