PUPILS and staff from Robert Burns Academy (RBA) are gearing up to take on the Great Scottish Run this weekend in honour of a much-loved former member of the school.

The team from the Cumnock school will be raising money for Ayrshire Cancer Support in honour of former school janitor, Chris Walker, who sadly passed away recently.

A team has been sent by the school to take part in the Great Scottish Run for the last few years, in what has become an RBA tradition.

Mr Bernard Shepherd, teacher at the school, came up with the idea of entering the yearly event, having battled through a range of fundraising events during his time.

The team taking part last year.The team taking part last year. (Image: Robert Burns Academy)

This Sunday, October 6, they will be hoping to raise £1,000 for the charity, with more than £600 tallied up so far.

Previous charities support by the school at the Great Scottish Run have included Alzheimer Scotland and raising money for Mauchline's Ava Bolton.

They have also taken on the Roon the Toon 10k run in Kilmarnock and raised over £1,000, also for Ayrshire Cancer Support.

You can support this year's efforts online.