THIRTEEN police officers are going to take on an epic challenge to raise money for local youngsters.

On Tuesday, August 28, a team of Response Police Officers from Group 3 in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Police Division are raising money for charity by completing the 24 hour National Three Peak Challenge.

This is a climb of the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours - a total of 26 miles and an ascent of 3,000m.

All monies raised will go to a charitable fund held by Ardrossan Children and Families Area Team at the Social Work office in North Ayrshire and will be carefully used over the 2018 Christmas period and onwards to support local kids that are less fortunate than others.

Jim Cast, who is organising the event, told the Herald: “Every year the social work department collect money through different events over the course of the year and that money goes to supporting children in the community all year, but especially at Christmas. So for children who might not get a gift or a meal on Christmas Day, this money will be used to provide that and other thing which fall outwith the normal social work means.

“I am looking forward to the challenge. I have done it once before about 10 years ago, but most of the guys have never done it before. In fact some of them have never so much as climbed a hill before so it will be tough, but we have all be training hard and we will give it our best shot.

“It’s a very difficult challenge. A lot of people don’t complete it but I’m confident we will do it. It’s going to be an adventure. A great challenge but a difficult one.”

They are now starting to collect sponsorship and you can donate by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/5h6anq8?member=122472.