TWO fundraising friends are going on the run - in aid of a severely disabled young man from Port Glasgow.

Well-known Inverclyde duo Joyce Murdoch and best pal Christine Anderson have signed up for the annual Bubble Rush 5k in Glasgow to raise money for 23-year-old Matthew Luke, who is has complex health needs and is wheelchair-bound.

They will set off from Bellahouston Park on Sunday May 5 for a five-kilometre fun run in which competitors are covered in huge amounts of colourful bubbles.

Joyce, a popular member of staff at the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Greenock, is a relative of Matthew's, and Christine, owner of Inverclyde Gymnastics, knows him from volunteering with Barnardo's in Greenock in the past.

They will be raising money to help pay for a wet room and lift in Matthew's Arran Avenue home, to allow him to continue staying there.

Joyce told the Tele: "Matthew's a family member of mine and he also used to come to the gym when he was still able to.

"I couldn't think of a better cause to raise money for. "Matthew and his mum are really happy we're doing it for him.

"We don't want him to have to move, because it's his house and he's settled there."

Matthew's quality of life has deteriorated since being struck down by meningitis when he was five.

His family are fundraising to make adaptations to the only house he has lived in to allow him to remain there.

Joyce and Christine are no strangers at doing their bit for good causes having raised thousands of pounds at various events over the years.

Christine said: "We were going to do the run anyway and decided to do it for Matthew.

"I used to volunteer for Barnardo's and Matthew was one of the kids who came along to the youth club - that's how I first met him. "We want to help get him what he needs because we want him to live as normal a life as possible."

Th pair will set off in a sea of bubbles next month and make their way through multi-coloured foam throughout the course, fired out from special canons.

Joyce said: "It will be good fun and it is for a great cause."

Anyone who'd like to sponsor Joyce and Christine can donate online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/joyce-murdoch