The shores of Loch Lomond hosted a tremendous fundraiser earlier this year all in aid of Barnardo’s.

£1000 was raised after the “Big Toddle” event, a sponsored walk geared towards encouraging younger children to get out and about.

The animal-themed event saw children don a range of outfits all in order to raise funds for the charity, which aims to promote equal chances for youth who are brought up in difficult circumstances.

Ever-popular Barnardo’s mascot, Big Todd, and Loch Lomond SEA LIFE Centre’s mascot, Ollie the Octopus, delighted the children before they set off from outside the centre and looped round through the woods before finishing at the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre.

With this year also marking Barnardo’s 50th anniversary, Deborah Grossman, the Regional Fundraising Manager spoke of her delight at hosting another successful event in such picturesque surroundings.

She said: “Loch Lomond Shores was a great venue to host our Big Toddle. The kids had a ball and we were delighted that so many of the businesses got on board with our fundraising activities.”

Clare Gemmell, Loch Lomond Shores General Manager, added: “We are looking to do some more fundraising work for this great charity, and already have some exciting plans underway including some music and dance performances over winter which we will get more information out on as plans are confirmed.”