A FOOTBALLER put his fitness to the test to help spread the magic of Christmas with needy children.

Port Glasgow Juniors player Gary Pettigrew, who is also a personal trainer, fought through the pain barrier to complete a 10k in support of Children in Poverty Inverclyde.

He challenged his clients to join him for the run, or help by sponsoring him as he made his way round the district in a Santa suit, inset.

Gary, of Dougliehill Place, said: “I wanted to do something to help a local charity and Children in Poverty is perfect.

“I wanted to involve my clients as well and in the end I was joined by about 15 people.

“I had to move it forward because I have a knee injury from playing football and I was set to go in for an operation and wanted to do it in time for Christmas.

“I think what Children in Poverty Inverclyde does is amazing.”

The local charity, set up nearly four years ago, has received thousands of pounds for its Christmas appeal.

Founder Pat Burke said: “Magical things just keep on happening to us from the people of Inverclyde. I was watching Greenock HSFP play in a Scottish Cup tie a gentleman approached me and gave me an envelope with £150 inside.”

Pat recently received a donation of £2,000 from the Celtic Foundation as well as an anonymous contribution of £300 plus another £300 from the Regent Club.

Old Gourock and Ashton Church meanwhile donated 60 beautifully wrapped toys for the second year in a row. 

They also welcomed donations from St Columba’s Kilmacolm Junior School, Old Gourock and Ashton Church, Greenock Baptist Church and from toy appeals in the Morrisons and Tesco stores.

Greenock woman Kathleen Devlin and her husband have donated their winter fuel allowance to the charity and Inverclyde Foodbank.

The donations will help tireless campaigner Pat and his trustees as they run three special events at Cardwell Garden Centre’s Christmas carnival for nursery and school children.

He is also handing out dozens of presents to local families, which have been donated from scores of local organisations, schoolchildren, businesses and volunteers.

Praising the generosity of local people, Pat said: “We really are blessed.”