HUNDREDS of children from a Vale primary went for a stroll in the park on Friday to show their support for a parent who was walking 50km to raise money for charity.

Liz Hodson from Alexandria set out at 6am to complete the walk which consisted of scores of 423m long circuits of Christie Park to raise money for CHAS (Children's Hospice Association Scotland) which runs Robin House Hospice in Balloch which provides care for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

Liz could be forgiven if she was left feeling a little dizzy after her exertions, she set off at 6am to complete a 50km walk which meant almost 120 laps of the park.

Trading standards officer Liz, was joined by the pupils from nearby Christie Park Primary some of whom were involved in a Schools Olympic Torch relay organised by Active Schools Scotland.

When Liz got in touch with the school and told them of her plans they were only too willing to get involved and give her a bit of moral support on the day.

The school picked 10 children who had overcome the odds in some way or inspired others at the school, to take part in the Schools Olympic Torch relay.

The Schools Olympic Torch arrived at Christie Park from Vale of Leven Academy on Friday afternoon and was handed over by the high school pupils to the primary school children along with a flag with a message.

Ms Elizabeth Campbell, principal teacher at Christie Park, said: "Each class went round the park to encourage Liz as she took part in the walk. The classes went out at various times throughout the day with the P1 children completing a lap but the older children walked longer distances. It tied in with the torch relay where we chose 10 children who are great ambassadors for the school to take part."

Amongst those chosen to carry the torch as it made its way from the school to Alexandria Community Centre was Liz's son Ted, a P6 pupil who has battled back from a serious injury.

As she was a couple of hours into the walk around the park, Liz revealed to the Reporter: "I only found out the other day that my son was taking part in the relay. He broke his foot last year playing on a trampoline and ended up in a wheelchair for a bit. Then he contracted pneumonia. The children have been brilliant today, there are hundreds of them all cheering me on."

Liz had intentions of undertaking her charity walk long before now but she's also had a few mishaps in recent times and had to overcome injury herself.

She admitted: "I intended doing it a few years ago but I've had a few injuries myself and ended up doing my tendons. I've fell down my living room staircase, split open my hip and crushed my spinal chord."

As well as Liz's son Ted, the other pupils who carried the torch on its journey were fellow P6 pupil Esther Kyremeh and P7 pupils Sanshika Bhardwaj; Holly Valentine, Aaron McShannon, Ben Hamill; Isla Ritchie; Elyse Dobson; Callum Scullion and Emma Carr.