Robert Burns Academy (RBA) pupils and staff have done their bit to raise vital funds for Alzheimer Scotland.

The handy team took on the Great Scottish Run last weekend, and have so far managed to rack up over £2,000 to go to the charity.

A team of more than 20 headed to Glasgow for the event on Sunday, October 2.

The idea was born out of a popular tradition from popular supply teacher at the school, Bernard Shepherd.

Cumnock Chronicle: Pupils being put through their paces (Image- Robert Burns Academy)Pupils being put through their paces (Image- Robert Burns Academy) (Image: Robert Burns Academy)

Mr Shepherd has battled through many fund-raising events throughout his teaching career, all for a range of different charities.

His first venture into a running event came back in 2011, when his 30-year-old son took his own life, leading to an event being held in his honour for Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and Mind.

Mr Shepherd wanted to focus on Alzheimer Scotland due to a karate training partner of his being diagnosed with the disease.

The Cumnock-based teacher raised money for the charity earlier this year, and he was keen to get more funds going this time around.

Cumnock Chronicle: Mr Shepherd giving it his best effort (Image- Robert Burns Academy)Mr Shepherd giving it his best effort (Image- Robert Burns Academy) (Image: (Image- Robert Burns Academy))

"For a woman in her 60s it's such a shame what's happened," Mr Shepherd said.

"I did the challenge earlier this year so I want to try and get as much as I can this time as well."

The teacher's original target for fund raising was for £1,000. But they soon smashed through that total, after taking in a few hundred pounds shortly after the JustGiving page being set up.

"Within the first week of putting the page up, there was a few hundred pounds in it."

The team have more than doubled the target, with over 100 donations making their total standing at £2,078.

A school representative added: "The organiser of the recent Robert Burns Academy Great Scottish Run 10K in Glasgow would like to say a massive thank you to the 36 staff, students, parents and friends who volunteered to take part on Sunday 2nd October.

"Thanks also go to those in the background who helped in any way with the final preparations, the main thank you must go to all who supported us by donating to the chosen charity Alzheimer Scotland, which at the time of writing has a total amount of £2,058:00."

There's still time to donate by going to https://bit.ly/3CeICQ7