A KIND-HEARTED youngster has laced up his walking boots for a marathon charity effort.

Alexander Alcorn, seven, of North Berwick, spent much of July clocking up the steps as he raised money to help the Samaritans.

His mum, Souzan, joined him on the walks, which this year have raised more than £1,700 for the charity, which was founded nearly 70 years ago.

Speaking during the fundraiser, she said: “He is really excited about the fundraising.

“He knows that for the Samaritans to keep the phone lines open it is £5 per phone call.

“He tries to calculate how many calls it is.

“He just loves the fact there are people out there helping.

“He does not fully appreciate what the Samaritans do but knows they help people feeling sad or families feeling sad.

“It has sparked a lot of questions and people coming up to me detailing their situation. It has been quite an interesting experience this year.

“We have raised a bit more awareness and we have worked hard to raise awareness.”

East Lothian Courier: Alexander Alcorn has taken on a walking challenge for Samaritans

Samaritans aims to provide support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout Great Britain and Ireland, often through its telephone helpline.

Souzan, who is taking a career break after working as a teacher in Edinburgh, explained that it was a cause close to their hearts.

She said: “Sadly, three years ago, we lost someone very special to us.

“A family member who works in a branch of Samaritans suggested for me to try to do the walk and raise awareness and so on to help me with my grieving.

“Alexander came along on the very first walk I did and we did the equivalent of two marathons, 84 kilometres, in the first year and raised a bit of money.

“The following year, he wanted to do it again and it was time together and it helped.

“We walked three marathons in the second year.

“I said to him: ‘Well done, altogether over the two years we raised about £600 and that’s lovely’, and he said we were doing it again this summer.”

In total, they covered 105 miles, with many of the walks taking place near the family’s home in North Berwick.

Further afield, they walked in Binning Wood, near East Linton, and along the river walk in Haddington, close to where Alexander attends The Compass School.

Souzan, who told the Courier that Alexander was the charity’s third highest fundraiser in the country, added: “Part of the reason why it has taken so long is I have a three-year-old, Katherine, who walks with us sometimes.

She walks sometimes and sometimes she is picked up.

“When she walks, it is at a three-year-old’s pace.

“If there is a playpark we go past, inevitably we go in to play, which I don’t mind.

“I think we have played in every park in North Berwick and there are quite a few – you would be amazed!”

Go to samarathon.enthuse.com/pf/alexander-alcorn to support Alexander.