IT was a challenge that Margaret Willis never thought she would complete.

But on Sunday she overcame her biggest fear - riding as a pillion passenger on a motorbike.

The 62-year-old from Lavender Road, Farnworth, wanted to go on a 98-mile round trip to Blackpool after her son, Gareth, was killed in a motorbike accident in 1999.

The former Bolton Evening News woman of the year took on the challenge to come to terms with her son's death and to raise money for a drop-in centre she runs with her husband, Geoff.

She nervously set off on a Honda Gold Wing, ridden by Andy Appleby, a member of the Lancashire and Lakes Region of the Honda Goldwingers Owners' Club accompanied by other members of the organisation.

After the ride Mrs Willis said: "It went better than I had ever hoped.

"It has proved to me that bikes aren't dangerous with the right person riding them and I'm very pleased to have done this.

"We actually passed the exact spot in Little Hulton where Gareth was killed and that was quite emotional for me. Gareth used to come round with his bike and offer to take me out but I always shunned him and it became an obsession of mine since his death to go out on a bike.

"I won't know how much I've raised until the money has been collected."

MP Brian Iddon went to see Mrs Willis off.

He said: "My personal assistant is a biker and she was going on the trip.

"I support Margaret because I know this was a very brave thing for her to do.

"She has suffered with her nerves for years and hopefully this will help her move on."

Mrs Willis had four trips on the back of Mr Appleby's bike before yesterday's trip.

Mr Appleby, aged 54, of Little Lever, said: "Margaret was the model passenger. Although she was a bit nervous, her confidence grew and I'm delighted to have been able to help her our and prove that bikes are safe."

Before he died, Gareth suggested that his mum and dad set up a drop-in centre and the couple decided to open one in his memory in 2000.

The Basset mental health drop-in centre at Farnworth Social Circle Cricket Club, which was set up in Gareth's memory, is open on Mondays and Wednesdays. It costs £9,500 a year to run and has had lottery funding in the past, but the couple need to raise more money to keep it going.