ONE of Inverclyde’s most successful sportsmen is swapping his football boots for running shoes —to raise money for needy local children.

Dad-of-three Jamie Bradley is pounding the pavements to prepare to run his first ever marathon, in aid of Children in Poverty.

The amateur footballer decided to retire at the top after winning the Scottish Cup two years in a row and being capped 20 times for his country.

Now he is set to run for 26 miles at the Stirling Marathon on April 29 to support a cause close to his heart.

Jamie, 35, who lives in Greenock’s Glen Douglas Way, said: “I decided to take this on as a new challenge.

“It is something I always fancied having a go at.

“It is great to be back out in training and keep fit and I have been running up to five times a week. It has been tough going.

“I wanted to help Children in Poverty as I know the founder Pat Burke, who runs it really well.

“Pat does a great job and it is a great charity which makes such a big difference to people’s lives.

“He has also been a great support to me over the years as well.”

Former Greenock HSFP player Jamie, who works at Faslane, is one of Inverclyde most decorated footballers.

He was capped 20 times for the Scottish Amateur international side and latterly played for Colville Park.

In the last two years of his amateur football career he won the Scottish Cup two years in a row with the Motherwell-based side.

Electrical fitter Jamie, who was one of our community champion finalists last year, decided to hang up his boots to spend more time with his family.

He is married to wife Kirsty and the couple have three children Jamie, 11, Austyn, seven, and Faith, one.

Young Jamie plays for Rangers and his dad is busy week-to-week ferrying him to games.

Children in Poverty chairman Pat has thanked Jamie for becoming a marathon man to help his organisation, which sends families off on free holiday breaks.

Pat said: “I know Jamie very well and he is a great guy. I really appreciate his support.

“Without people like Jamie we wouldn’t be able to sustain our support for local families.”

Jamie can be sponsored online at http://www.justgiving.com/JB22?