A BOY with learning disabilities and his family went on their first ever holiday - thanks to 'life-changing' local children's charity.

Craigmarloch pupil Shay Weir was among those offered the chance of a summer break at Hunters Quay in Argyll and Bute.

He was joined by his classmates and their families as part of a groundbreaking partnership between Children and Poverty Inverclyde and the school.

The charity founded by Pat Burke five years ago is run almost entirely on donations from local people who have taken the cause to their hearts.

Shay's mum Linda told the Tele how the holiday changed their lives.

Linda, who lives in Old Inverkip Road with Shay, his older brother Kyle, 17, and younger sister Ellie-Mae, eight, said: "This is our first holiday as a family. We could never have afforded this on our own.

"It meant the world to Shay and us all and I can't thank everyone enough or praise it enough. It was wonderful.

"When we turned up Shay's friend Billy and others were there as well."

The children's charity funded breaks for 45 children and families from Craigmarloch at a cost of almost £20,000.

They also received donations from local footballer Jamie Bradley's marathon run and supporters like the Regent Club and the Lodge LXV11.

Linda, 44, said: "Shay has an additional learning support disorder. He has the learning age of maybe a nine-year old because his brain has developed more slowly.

"Shay is such a loving wee boy, so full of love for everyone he meets.

"He was bullied all the way through primary school. It was awful, I remember I would be up at the office in tears begging for something to be done about it.

"But that has all changed since he went to Craigmarloch. It is a great school and he has friends here. He fits in and it has helped him so much."

On the holiday Shay also met up with his best friend Billy Love, who was also on the holiday at the park.

Billy's mum Lorna Dowds, of Tower Drive, said: "We wouldn't have had a holiday in the summer if we hadn't been offered this. I just couldn't have afforded it.

"I think the charity and the school are absolutely wonderful. The best thing to come out of it was meeting Linda. We didn't know each other. Sometimes you don't know other parents because you don't see them."

Billy, 13, has autism and also went to a mainstream primary school.

Since moving to Craigmarloch he has found it a perfect fit.

His mum added: "At the school they get to be who they want to be."

Craigmarloch's head teacher George Walker was over the moon to give some families at the school an opportunity of a holiday.

He added: "We are proud to work with the charity and the holidays are so important to these families."