A TEAM of young footballers and their parents are walking tall after raising almost £1,000 for a worthy cause.

Members of Barrhead Youth Football Club’s 2013 team took part in a four-mile sponsored walk through the town at the weekend, using the popular Dams to Darnley route.

They began at Nitshill Road, Darnley, at 10.15am on Sunday, wearing special shirts, and finished there 90 minutes later.

The money raised by the youngsters and their mums and dads will provide much-needed support for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

Team coach Blair McMillan, who organised the sponsored walk, said he is astonished at the amount of cash raised.

Members of the public also made donations during the walk, including one woman who gave a tenner.

Blair, 48, who is head coach and secretary for Barrhead YFC’s 2013 team, took part despite suffering a heart attack just three months earlier.

Now fully recovered after a month off work, he told the Barrhead News: “Our sponsor’s daughter has received treatment in the Glasgow Children’s Hospital and this was our way of giving something back.

“The amount of money the boys and their parents managed to raise is remarkable, given that so many people are struggling with their finances just now.

“It was also organised at fairly short notice and, thankfully, the rain stayed off.

“We know from personal experience the work that the hospital does and we know this money will be put to good use.

“I would also like to thank my two coaches, Scott Burnett and Scott McGregor, for their efforts in putting the fundraiser together.”

Blair works as a salesman for construction equipment firm the Molson Group, which also made a sizeable donation.

Barrhead YFC’s 2013 team are sponsored by family mortgage firm Monarch Financial Services, based in Kilmarnock.

The club was formed in 1972 and now runs 10 teams, with players ranging in ages from four to 20.

Teams compete in both the Glasgow and East Renfrewshire leagues.

Barrhead YFC also has a girls’ team, as well as a veterans’ side.