A GREENOCK family and their pet dog are taking on a tartan trek to help children in Inverclyde cope with the pain of losing loved ones.

The Sweeney family are taking part in this year's Kiltwalk on April 29 to raise money for the Butterfly Project at Ardgowan Hospice.

The local project supports grieving children and has proved vital in helping many families across the area.

Lesley, 43, her husband Des, 48, their son Aaron, 12, wanted to do their bit to help having experienced loss themselves.

After Aaron decided to give away his Christmas money and donated it to the hospice a representative of the charity met the family and told them about the Rainbow Project.

Once the family heard about its pioneering work, they decided to take on the six-mile challenge - and Aaron will be taking his pet husky Nala along.

Lesley said: "We are taking on the Kiltwalk's Wee Wander as a team.

"We wanted to do our bit to help as we like many have experienced loss and know how important this service is in the grief process.

"We are looking forward to it.

"We've been told it's a lovely atmosphere and being able to take Nala along is great - she's Aaron's best friend."

With a number of weeks to go before the event the family have already managed to raise £400 between donations and an online donations page.

Lesley, a haemodialysis support worker at the renal unit at Inverclyde Royal, says staff and patients at the hospital have been very supportive of the family's fundraising drive.

She said: "I told my colleagues and my patients about what I was doing and a lot of them didn't know about the Butterfly Project. When I explained they were all really supportive and very generous."

Lesley has also thanked family and friends who have shown their support and kind donations.

To donate to the family and help support the Butterfly Project visit https://glasgowkiltwalk2018.everydayhero.com/uk/lesley-7