A GARNOCK Academy student organised a sponsored walk with her friends for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity close to their hearts.

Shelby Murphy, 15, trekked more than 13 miles along the coast from Ardrossan to Largs with her best friend Lauren Macaulay, 17, boyfriend Balint Szommer, 16, and friend Sean Gorman, 15.

The fourth-year pupil organised the walk in memory of her beloved great-grandmother and to honour best friend Lauren’s late gran.

Shelby’s mum Margaret Murphy said: “My gran passed away in March from cancer. She was Shelby’s great-gran but we all knew her as ‘Granny Betty’.

“Shelby was very, very close to her and found it really difficult to cope afterwards.

“Granny Betty was the first close person Shelby had ever lost and she found it really hard.”

Lauren’s gran, "Granny Jean’" also passed away from cancer so when Shelby lost Granny Betty, Lauren was her rock.

Margaret said: “Lauren knew what Shelby was going through. They really helped each other.

“They met when Shelby was five. It was Christmas Day and they were outside playing with their toys when they met. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

“They were both close to their own grans and to each other’s grans. Lauren called Shelby’s great-gran Granny Betty and Shelby called Lauren’s gran Granny Jean.”

The four friends braved the harsh weather on Saturday, November 28 to take part in the seven-and-a-half hour coastal trek. So far, the Just Giving page set up by Shelby has raised well over £200.

Margaret said: “The four of them have done so well and I’m really chuffed for them. I’m amazed at Sean. He had an operation just last year and got pins in his hips but he was determined to do the walk, even with the horrible weather. I’m so proud of how Shelby organised it all and she’s only 15.

“I think this was her way of coping with losing Granny Betty and I’m so proud of her.”