An inspirational schoolboy, who raised thousands of pounds in a charity cycling challenge last year, is swapping his bike for hiking boots as he takes on the West Highland Way.
Connor Beck from Renfrew will begin the 154km trek on Saturday to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
The nine year old is completing the mammoth challenge in memory of his uncle, John Clark.
A popular SNP activist, John passed away suddenly while on holiday in America in October 2019.
A second impressive fundraiser for the Newmains Primary School pupil, Connor last year completed a 35km bike ride, raising more than £3,000 for the BHF.
PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS Live news as it happens
Connor will be accompanied on his challenge by his dad, other family members and his friend Evan McCrone.
Walking the route in stages, he will leave from Milngavie on Saturday to complete the first leg and will then walk every weekend to cover the full distance.
The fearless youngster hopes to finish on September 19 – which would have been his uncle’s 36th birthday.
Connor said: “I am a bit nervous about it because it is quite far but I am also excited.
“I miss my Uncle John a lot and I hope he would be proud of me doing this.”
Connor’s mum, Michelle Clark, said: “When Connor told us he wanted to take on the West Highland Way, we were a bit taken aback to be honest.
“It’s a long way for an adult to walk - never mind a nine-year-old boy!
“But if Connor is one thing, he’s determined so there really is no stopping him.
“Finishing the walk around John’s birthday is also a lovely way for us to pay tribute to him.
“We miss him terribly but I know he would have been so proud of Connor, raising money for such a great cause as the BHF.”
The BHF is the biggest independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland and the UK.
This year marks the charity’s 60th birthday and over the last six decades, the charity has - thanks to people like young Connor - been instrumental in numerous life saving discoveries.
James Jopling, head of BHF Scotland, said: “Connor is an absolute superstar.
“His bike ride last year was brilliant but for him now to take on an even bigger challenge, at such a young age, is incredible and we wish him the very best of luck.
“Connor’s fundraising really will help us make a difference.
“Since we were established 60 years ago, our research and campaigning have contributed to the annual number of people dying from heart and circulatory diseases in this country falling by half.
“This is something we can be extremely proud of. But we want to do more and with the help of wonderful supporters like Connor, we are determined to do so.”
BHF research has contributed to the first UK heart transplant, the development of pacemakers, the use of clot busting drugs to treat heart attacks, and the rollout of genetic testing for inherited heart conditions.
In the 1960s, the decade the BHF was founded, seven out of 10 heart attacks in the UK were fatal. Now, thanks in part to research the BHF has helped fund, at least seven out of 10 survive.
To find out more and to donate to Connor’s challenge log on to giftofhope.bhf.org.uk/Event/West-Highland-Way
