An ALEXANDRIA grandfather has set off on his mammoth bid to cycle to the home grounds of all of Scotland’s 42 professional football clubs to raise money for charity.

David O’Donnell is making the 1,050 mile trip after his four-year-old grandson Aidan, who is still recovering, was struck down with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, three years ago and ended up in hospital.

He was joined on the first day of the cycle on Sunday by his daughter and Aidan’s mum Jenny Kane, as they rode to the stadia of Dumbarton, Partick Thistle, Clyde, Albion Rovers and Airdrie.

Yesterday, David, who turns 70 this year, was then heading on to the grounds of Motherwell, Hamilton, Celtic, Queen’s Park, Rangers and St Mirren.

His challenge will take 25 days and he aims to raise £3,000 for Glasgow’s Children’s Hospital and an encephalitis charity.

David said: “I’m looking forward to it. The beauty of cycling is the people you meet.”

Read more: Alexandria grandfather to visit every SPFL club on charity cycle challenge

Before setting off, David paid a visit to Bonhill Primary School, where Aidan’s big brother Lewis attends and where Aidan will be starting as a primary one pupil in August.

Head teacher Julie Reilly said they were delighted to welcome David, who is currently coaching pupils in preparation for their upcoming tennis festival.

She told the Reporter: “David volunteers in our school, so he is well known and we are very proud of him for undertaking this challenge.

“The children donated £1 to come to school out of uniform and all the money raised from this will be donated to his cause.”