A hardy team of police officers are set to join forces with Royal Navy colleagues to help make sure children in poverty in North Ayrshire get a Christmas dinner.

The group of nine will take on a gruelling 24-hour hike on Arran next month - walking non-stop through the day and night across some of the toughest terrain the island has to offer.

They will be led by policeman Jim Cast, from Kilwinning, whose wife Louise founded the Mrs Clause charity.

Their crowdfunding page has already had donations of more than £2,000 towards an initial £2,500 target - but Louise says raising £4,000 will ensure children desperately in need across the area will enjoy a proper Christmas dinner and presents this December.

The incredible hike will begin on Friday, July 28, starting with the Loch Na Davie circuit at Lochranza, continuing to Sannox before tackling Goat Fell, the island's highest peak.

Then it will be on to Glen Rosa before the hike ends in Brodick 24 hours later.

The coastal hike will be undertaken at night, on uneven terrain.

Louise joked: "After that, they say they will collapse..."

She founded the charity in 2020 after discovering many children in her home town, the Three Towns and Irvine were doing without a proper Christmas dinner or presents.

One child told his school his festive feast was a pot noodle.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The team are ready to tackle the Arran hike next month

Gran Louise worked in social services before becoming a full time foster mum.

She said: "Mrs Clause has helped 100 families so far, and if we raise enough with this challenge, we hope to be able to take the children on trips.

"Some of these kids Have never been to a soft play area, a theme park or a zoo.

"Some of the families we help are fighting addictions, or there have been domestic abuse issues. But they still want the best for their kids, despite their problems.

"And Mrs Clause is all about the kids. It is all about breaking the cycle, so these children can grow up feeling self worth.

"One in three children in North Ayrshire are living in food poverty. But many families are proud and don't want to go to food banks or ask for help.

"We have already had some astonishing support from companies.

"My son-in-law Adam Bartle is an officer in the Royal Navy, and and through his connections, The Yard and PJM Motors in Helensburgh have each given us £100 and will have their logo on the T-shirts.

"We also have the logo of Abbey Printing Services from Kilwinning on the T-shirts. They printed all the T-shirts for free in return for their logo on them, saving us £120.

"And we had an incredible £1,000 donation from local company WABT, who advise on improving workplaces for staff. The owner's husband Harry is taking part in the hike too.

"Primark in Irvine have supported us on the challenge by donating the T-shirts for printing."

Louise added: "This is a full 24 hour trek and I will be worried about them all. I'm so proud of them."

To support the team's fundraising effort visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/louise-cast-2