A BARRHEAD pensioner was on a high when she learned she had won a raffle prize – only to then discover it was a half-hour flying lesson.

And 92-year-old Mary McVitie turned down the prize after deciding she would rather keep her feet on the ground than have her head in the clouds.

Mary, from Auchenback, won the flying lesson at a weekly gathering for women at The Brig Inn.

Gordon McDowall donated the prize for the raffle, which raised money for Accord Hospice, in Paisley.

Maggie Weldon, who works at The Brig Inn, told the Barrhead News: “Mary comes in every Tuesday. She was actually quite shocked to win the prize.

“She thought she was a bit too old for a flying lesson.”

On Friday, at the pub’s annual seniors lunch, a cheque for £1,000 was handed to the hospice, with a representative explaining how the money helps continually upgrade facilities for patients from across the area.

Barrhead News: The Brig Inn presented £1,000 to Accord HospiceThe Brig Inn presented £1,000 to Accord Hospice

Bud and Mary Gauld, who have owned The Brig Inn for 29 years, said patrons and staff have now raised a total of £31,000 for the charity.

The senior residents at the lunch enjoyed a three-course meal with drinks, a few games of bingo and some singing to finish off the afternoon.

Barrhead’s MSP Tom Arthur said: “The Brig Inn is a real community venue, looking after their customers and the local area.

“On a personal level, I can say that I wouldn’t be here without them, as it’s where my parents met.

“This is a tremendous achievement for the customers and staff to have raised such an incredible amount over the past 29 years.

“The annual lunch is a Barrhead institution and I’m so pleased that they had such a wonderful afternoon.”

A spokesperson for Accord Hospice added: “We are absolutely delighted to receive support from the owners, staff and customers of The Brig Inn, who support our services each year by fundraising.

“It’s people like those at The Brig Inn who allow the hospice to be able to look after those in the community that need our help, whether this be end-of-life care, counselling, physiotherapy or day care services.

“Simply put, we are extremely grateful to The Brig Inn for their support over the last 30 years”