AN East Renfrewshire schoolboy and his dad are to help dribble a football across Scotland to raise cash for charity.

Innes and Derek Hanlan will be joining 64 other participants for the unusual relay, dubbed The Big Dribble, as they look to kick a tartan football 230 miles from Pittodrie stadium in Aberdeen, down the east coast and through the central belt, before finishing at Hampden, in Glasgow.

Organised by Street Soccer Scotland, the challenge is due to start at 6am on Friday and finish at 2.30pm on Sunday.

Derek, 44, and 10-year-old Innes, from Netherlee, have been practising ahead of the event.

“We are really excited to be supporting Street Soccer Scotland, which is an extremely worthy cause,” said Derek.

“It is really special for us to be able to do this together and my son is a big Queen’s Park fan, so it’s nice that we’ll get to finish the route at Hampden.

“We’ve put in plenty of practice, with keepy-uppy challenges and taking a ball with us when we’ve been out and about.”

Street Soccer Scotland has also launched The Wee Dribble, so families can take on their own challenge over the weekend.

The charity has 50 special tartan footballs to giveaway to families who sign up to the event, and anyone who raises over £100 will also receive an exclusive tartan t-shirt.

David Duke, Founder and CEO of Street Soccer Scotland, hopes the new initiative can raise awareness of the charity’s work and also help to unite people through a love of football.  

“We had so many families looking to sign up to The Big Dribble,” he said. “But as the challenge takes place during the night in some areas, it was a bit more difficult for them to take part.

“The Wee Dribble allows children, parents and guardians to put their own spin on the challenge. Whether it’s doing laps in their back garden or keep-ups at their local park, we’re hoping as many families as possible will join in the fun to help support those less fortunate at this time when they need it the most.”

To show your support for Derek and Innes by making a donation, visit their JustGiving page.

For more information about the charity, visit Street Soccer Scotland.