A kind-hearted eight-year-old Bankie has spent part of his summer holidays walking nearly 180 miles in aid of a cause close to his family’s heart.

Ollie Durand and his dad Stephen recently took on their ‘biggest and best’ challenge yet as they completed the Hebridean Way – a 156-mile jaunt - in just nine days.

However, the journey ended up being slightly longer for the pair, with them clocking up nearly 180 miles, as they were forced to take detours due to poor weather conditions.

Stephen and Ollie Durand Stephen and Ollie Durand (Image: Stephen Durand)

The father and son duo from Dalmuir braved heavy rain and winds as they crossed ten islands, six causeways, and took two ferries to the finishing point in Stornoway.

Proud dad Stephen explained that he and Ollie have raised more than £2200 so far, all of which will be donated to Clydebank-based charity Golden Friendships – where Ollie’s gran visits weekly.

(Image: Stephen Durand)

Stephen said: “This is the biggest walk the two of us have ever done. My dad couldn’t do things like this with me because he wasn’t always well so for me it’s about creating memories with Ollie.

“The weather was terrible. One day we were stuck inside the whole day because of 40mph winds, it only started getting better in the last three days.

“It was amazing though. On the second last day, we walked about 22 miles and we were going to keep going but we ended up meeting a gamekeeper from one of the estates who told us it would be getting dark soon and the road we were on was dodgy.

“He actually gave us a cottage to stay in overnight and brought us venison sausages and eggs the next day.

“The people were amazing.”

The Hebridean Way starts on the island of Vatersay and runs through Barra, Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, Grimsay, North Uist, Bernaray, Harris, and Lewis before coming to an end in Stornoway.

(Image: Stephen Durand)

(Image: Stephen Durand)

Ollie explained that his favourite part of the trip was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.

Last year, the adventurous youngster completed the West Highland Way in aid of another charity, Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels.

Dad Stephen told our reporter that he feels it is important to support local causes.

He said: “It’s a really important thing that the Golden Friendships do. The things that people do by giving up their time to help other people, that’s what it’s all about.

“We need to connect and help other people because not everyone has the luxuries that we do.”

[Right to left: Jim McLaren, Ollie, and Stephen Durand][Right to left: Jim McLaren, Ollie, and Stephen Durand] (Image: Jim McLaren)

Jim McLaren, founder of Golden Friendships praised Ollie and Stephen for their incredible efforts.

He said: “We couldn’t be more proud of them, what a marvellous achievement, especially for an eight-year-old boy.

“People who met them on the way contacted us and told us how bad the weather was and stuck some money in their JustGiving page.

“The money will help with the running costs of the building and keep the place open. The great thing about wee Ollie is we help kids his age.

“We’re working with schools now and putting on 12 shows every term for three schools that can walk here.

“Stephen’s mum, who is Ollie’s grannie, is a regular member of the Golden Friendships.”

(Image: Stephen Durand)

Stephen has already revealed what he hopes will be the pair’s next adventure.

He added: “Next year we’re going to take a break but I’m hoping in the next few years that we will be able to do Base Camp at Everest.

“That’s my hope, it would be unreal.”

To view Ollie's fundraising page visit HERE.