AS the big screen version brings the story of Dunkirk and the little ships to a whole new generation, the clients of one local charity have been showing their own Dunkirk Spirit in an effort to raise much needed funds for the Skylark IX.

Andy Cochrane, who is chairman of The Skylark Trust and also the service co-ordinator with community drugs Charity, “Alternatives,” has put together a team of Alternatives’ clients who have relentlessly challenged themselves and fundraised over the last four years for the Skylark Trust.

And the team’s latest challenge on Sunday was to climb Ben Lomond, carrying Skylark’s propeller.

Despite the poor weather and the heavy load, the team completed their challenge in under five hours and in doing so raised over £500 for the Skylark project.

Andy, who led the lads in the challenge simply Tweeted at the end – “job done.”

Anne Dyer, who also works with Alternatives and is advisor to the Skylark Trust during their lottery bid said: “The achievements of that wee group never fail to amaze me.

“Great teamwork and a much needed boost to the £1800 match funding needed for phase 1 of the HLF bid.

“And the girls from Alternatives did their part this weekend too, when they manned the Skylark stall at the Scottish Pipe Band Championship, dressed as landgirls. What a weekend for Skylark!”

Andy Cochrane added: “The lads are already planning their next challenge and the Skylark Trust has lots happening over the next few months, so a busy and exciting time for this project ahead.”

Skylark IX helped save 600 lives during the evacuation at Dunkirk.

It is to be brought back to life thanks to funding announced last year by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Built as a passenger cruiser for 75 people in 1927, Skylark IX was called to the aid of the stranded Allied troops in Dunkirk in 1940.

However, due to falling into a state of disrepair, the Dunkirk Little Ship eventually sank on Loch Lomond in 2010.

After being raised by the Royal Navy following a veterans’ campaign, the boat will eventually be transformed into a floating museum and her restoration will be used as a training programme designed for recovering drug addicts from Alternatives in Dumbarton.