POGO power helped two schoolboys ensure they had a spring in their step on their way to raising more than £1,500 for charity.

Jamie Heggie and Blake Urquhart, of Pencaitland, were among thousands across the country taking part in The 2.6 Challenge.

The organisers of the London Marathon, which was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, encouraged people to take on their own challenge involving the numbers two and six.

And while others have been walking, cycling and jogging, the two Pencaitland Primary School pupils used their pogo sticks to raise money for St Columba’s Hospice Care.

Jamie’s dad, Jon, who is director of fundraising at the charity, was pleased to say both of the youngsters completed 2,600 bounces.

He told the Courier it was almost more difficult to count the bounces than to take on the challenge!

He said: “Jamie and Blake were challenging each other to do 400 bounces, then the other had to do 500 bounces and then 550 just to keep themselves amused.

“We said, ‘Could you do 2,600 each in a day?’ and they both got really excited.

“It took off from there.

“It only took them half an hour – they thought they were going to have to have loads of breaks!”

The charity, which has a shop on Haddington High Street, provides hospice and end-of-life care for people with incurable illnesses and their families, in Edinburgh and across the Lothians.

Jon said a number of charities had been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, which had seen fundraisers of all sizes postponed or cancelled.

However, friends and family had got behind Jamie and Blake, both seven, with an initial fundraising target well and truly smashed.

Jon added: “Friends and family have been so generous. We had a target of £260 to tie in with the 2.6 challenge and thought they would be overwhelmed if they got that.

“They are now over £1,500; it’s pretty incredible.”

To make a donation, go to www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk or call 0131 551 1381.