BIG hearted schoolchildren who joined a Greenock policewoman on her charity run have been congratulated for their efforts.

Constable Kirsty Boyd says she was overwhelmed by a super show of support during a marathon trek around 20 schools across Inverclyde.

To show her appreciation, PC Boyd invited some of the youngsters to the police station to personally thank them.

She told the Tele: “The pupils were excellent and they really kept me going.

“Thanks to their support we’ve raised £2,140 for local charities - including the Butterfly Project at Ardgowan Hospice and Reach for Autism.”

Aidan Gibson, a pupil at Craigmarloch School, was thrilled to help Kirsty.

The 15-year-old said: “I think Kirsty is the biggest star. She’s a good police officer. I think she should do it every year.”

Alex Wiseman, a primary seven pupil at Whinhill Primary, joined Kirsty on her run from his school down to Notre Dame High School.

He said: “It was exciting, I didn’t expect to see so many people out to watch Kirsty.”

Chief Inspector Elliot Brown, area commander for Greenock, welcomed the youngsters to the police station.

He said: “The run has raised over £2,000 for charity. To run round 20 schools is an amazing effort. It’s all Kirsty’s idea and the children all pitched in ,which is absolutely brilliant.

Other pupils who took part in the run included Ciaran Murray from St Stephen’s High and Sophie Williams from Port High as well as 14-year-old Blair Smith.

Also lacing up their trainers for the run were Josh Hendry from St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm, Lauren Jannetts of Inverclyde Academy, Hannah McGeehan, from St Columba’s High in Gourock, Christopher Tanoh from Clydeview Academy and Nathan Gemmill from Notre Dame.