A CARING schoolboy is putting his best foot forward to raise hundreds of pounds for a homelessness charity.

Eight-year-old Olie Robertson has been running 2km every day for two weeks, with family and friends providing sponsorship in aid of Shelter Scotland.

The Erskine youngster was inspired to help the worthy cause after witnessing people living rough on the streets during the wintry weather.

His original fundraising target was £50 but, within a week, he had already coined in £1,000.

Olie told The Gazette: “It makes me really sad to see people who are cold and hungry.

“I’m so lucky that I live in a warm home and have a family to look after me.

“I would like to see them have at least two hot meals a day.”

Olie, who is a pupil at Inchinnan Primary School, isn’t used to running such a distance, so the charity challenge has been difficult.

However, he is looking forward to receiving a Shelter Scotland t-shirt as a reward and is pleased his classmates are rallying round to help.

Olie added: “I feel really proud that I am helping so many people. Some of my classmates don’t quite believe I will be able to do this.

“My school are also very happy that I am doing this and there will be a special assembly presentation for me once I have completed the fundraiser.”

Olie’s classmates and teachers have wished him the best of luck in his charity endeavour and have congratulated him on his efforts.

A spokesman for Inchinnan Primary said: “We are incredibly proud of Oliver and everything he is doing.”

Each year, Shelter Scotland helps more than half a million people who are struggling with bad housing or homelessness.

Anyone who would like to support Olie’s fundraising effort can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/olie-robertson