A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy has got on his bike to raise cash for an East Renfrewshire school.

Hamish Donnelly was set a target of cycling a total of 100km during the longer-than-usual festive break from lessons.

And he has been joined on his fundraising odyssey by proud mum Alexis, who has been running alongside him.

The dynamic duo soon smashed their initial fundraising target of £50, with more than £300 raised for Uplawmoor Primary School so far.

Alexis, 37, told the Barrhead News: “Hamish started learning to cycle during lockdown and my husband Steven and I had been running a lot more too.

“As we have so much countryside around us, we thought ‘why not cycle and run together, while also raising some money for the school over the winter break?’

“We have been going around the Gleniffer Braes circuit and the routes around Uplawmoor. It has been a lot of fun and Hamish has even been pushing me to go a little bit further every time we are out.”

Alexis admits the fundraising effort has been “a challenge” at times, as some of the routes they are using are steep.

However, she added: “It’s a good experience for Hamish because it is helping to build up his street sense in terms of looking out for pedestrians and road vehicles.”

The pair were also offered some extra support as their 100km target moved into sight.

“We have got an idea for the remaining miles we have to do,” said Alexis. “My husband is going to join us, with a wee 10km run planned.

“We chose Uplawmoor Primary because Hamish is a pupil there and I don’t think there has been any fundraising done for a while because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The school gives a lot to the children of Uplawmoor and we wanted to give something back.”

At a time when many children are glued to the television or playing computer games, Hamish has been happy to embrace the great outdoors instead.

He said: “The cycling has been hard work but I have been enjoying it. My mum has to help push me up the big hills.

“I get a wee bit of chocolate when we turn around to come back home.

“I hope the school uses the money on things to help us learn and on making the playroom bigger.”

If you would like to donate to the Donnelly family’s fundraising drive, visit here.