A GREENOCK couple are facing a race against the clock to raise as much money as they can for children’s charities — and win a wedding.

Laura Graham, a personal finance manager, and her partner Fraser Gillies, a fireman, have been selected as finalists for the Cash 4 Kids ‘win a wedding’ contest.

They are going head to head with six other couples and only have two weeks to raise the most amount of money.

But the pair are off to a flying start and have bagged £1,500 in the first few days as they go all out to help causes close to their heart.

Clydesdale bank manager Laura, aged 32, who lives in Jean Armour Place, said: “We are not even engaged and had no plans to get married.

“We want to raise the money for charity.

“We have three children between us.

“I am so determined and love a challenge, I know we can do this.

“I wanted to do this because Radio Clyde’s Cash 4 Kids help so many children.”

Mum-of-one Laura, who has been with Fraser for two years, stole the hearts of competition judges with a heartfelt plea she had penned.

She said: “I went with a poem and explained that we were not engaged and that we wanted to raise money.”

In the first weekend the couple visited Laura’s old workplace Word Up and other venues to collect cash.

They have also been gifted use of a spin bike by Inverclyde Leisure and will be trying to get as many people as possible to hop on.

The bike will be parked in the Oak Mall today, with Fraser’s firefighting colleagues giving it a go.

Laura, who has a two-year-old son Jacob, is going off on tour round the Clydesdale Bank branches hoping to raise as much as she can.

Her workmates in the Greenock branch are looking out their wedding hats because they have no doubt that Laura will raise the most money and bag a £16,000 wedding at the Ingliston Country Club.

Colleague Jane McAlister said: “There is no doubt Laura will do this.”

Fraser, who works at Cowcaddens Station and has two boys Lucas, five, and Quintin, four, is also getting in on the act.
He said: “We are trying to come up with as many ideas as we can.”

To donate text wedding 5 to 70808.