A DEVOTED gran who lost her battle with cancer has left a lasting legacy for families affected by autism.

Port Glasgow woman Pat McCarthy helped her daughter Vicki set up the award winning Reach for Autism organisation.

The Greenock centre was the first of its kind and the team have worked tirelessly to make Inverclyde an autism-friendly community by opening up opportunities for those on the spectrum.

A year after Pat's death the Reach team have paid her a moving tribute by opening a cafe in her honour at the centre - Pat's Kitchen.

Vicki said: "My mum was the heart and soul of Reach for Autism and we wouldn't have the centre it wasn't for her.

"I couldn't have done any of it without her.

"We all miss her, every single day.

"Everyone loved my mum - she spent her life caring for everyone else.

"It is fitting that we should celebrate her in this way because she was always in the kitchen and looking after people.

"The girls who help in the cafe wanted to do this for my mum."

Vicki, with the support of and others like Margaret McGowan set up Reach to support her daughter Kira, who is now 20.

Pat was instrumental in helping open the Ratho Street centre seven years ago to give families a safe place with drop-in sessions and activities.

Their groundbreaking work has been recognised by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who invited them along to meet her cabinet and raise awareness of the issues affecting people with autism.

Port Glasgow born Pat was devoted to her daughter Vicki, as well as her grandchildren Kira and Eli.

She worked in Inverclyde Royal as an auxiliary nurse and was a committed volunteer for a number of causes.

Vicki, who like to thank Rose Gilshan, Eleanor McConnachie, Francis Reford, Pauline Fulton, John Fields and Sheila Murphy for their support, added: "My mum volunteered her whole life.

"She was an absolute rock."