Co-op Funeralcare in Cumnock are collecting unwanted children’s shoes to be distributed around the world by charity Sal’s Shoes.

Employee Gillian Patrick wanted to help the charity after reading an article about them.

She told the Chronicle: “I read in a magazine a few weeks ago about how Sal’s Shoes came about. I thought ‘that’s a good idea’ and that it was something we can help out with.”

The collection will run from Monday, February 27 to Friday, March 24 in their office at 44 Glaisnock Street.

They are looking for all types of shoes so long as they are clean and in good condition.

Cash donations of £1 can made by taping the money to the bottom of any donated shoes but this is not compulsory.

This will go towards the cost of distributing the shoes to those who need them.

Gillian said: “After the shoes have been collected, we’ll send them to Sal’s Shoes which is based in Surrey and they distribute to different countries around the world but mainly in Africa.

“We are collecting shoes for children who are in desperate need. For some of them, these will be their first pair of shoes. Being a mum, I know how quickly children can grow out of them. We usually get a good response to fundraisers so we’ll have to wait and see.”

Sal’s Shoes was founded in 2013 by CJ Bowry so that he knew where each shoe went.

In its first year, the charity distributed 4,805 pairs of shoes.

Today, they distribute 20 times as many shoes per year.