A BRAVE Gourock boy is completing a marathon challenge to raise money for a charity that has supported him following the death of his dad.

Sebastian Hill, 10, is taking part in the 'Month of May Marathon' for Scotty's Little Soldiers, which supports children and young people who have lost a parent who'd served in the British Armed Forces.

Sebastian is completing the challenge in memory of his dad, late Royal Navy chaplain Reverend John Hill MBE.

John passed away when Sebastian was just seven months old in 2010.

He said: "This is the third year I have completed the challenge and usually do it by walking to and from school each day, so this year I'll be doing it differently.

"I'm going on lots of walks around Cove Road, Fort Matilda, Cardwell Bay and the Battery Park and getting up nice and early each day.

"Last year I raised around £200, so am hoping do to the same this year."

Sebastian joined the charity in 2017 after attending the Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, where his mum, Caroline Hill, spotted their stall.

Since then, the charity has supported Sebastian in lots of ways, including acknowledging the anniversary of his dad's death each year by sending a voucher to do something in his honour.

Caroline, 44, said: "The charity do absolutely amazing work.

"They are so supportive of families all over the UK and not that many people know about them.

"They send Sebastian Christmas presents, invite us each year to a party down south and even provided us with tickets to go on a theme park break.

"They also are able to provide families who are perhaps struggling with help to send a child on a school trip with a one off grant, offer online support and can offer respite breaks for those who need it.

"If there is something in particular they cannot help with, they'll find a person or organisation who can.

"The main thing though is they acknowledge John as a 'hero' and send something on his anniversary and Remembrance Sunday for Sebastian.

"It's truly amazing and the work the founder, Nikki Scott, a fellow armed forces widow, does is outstanding."

Sebastian's dad John, who had served with the Royal Navy for around 18 years, was only 54 when he suffered a sudden heart attack.

He was in the UK at the time visiting while Caroline and Sebastian were in Gibraltar, as John was serving there at the time.

Scotty's Little Soldiers help the P6 pupil at Gourock Primary connect with other children in the same situation.

Caroline, who works part-time at Healthy Outlook, said: "They're much more than just a charity, it's like a family. "During the lockdown, the charity has been holding Zoom parties with children's entertainers to keep everyone in touch and have also given families six months memberships to Disney+.

"Everything they do is absolutely brilliant, and Sebastian and I appreciate it so much.

"This is why we Sebastian wants to do something for them - as a thank you for all that they do."

To donate to Sebastian's fundraiser, visit his everydayhero page at http://tiny.cc/46jvnz.