Two young singers from the Vale have visited the Robin House children’s hospice to hand over the proceeds from a remarkable lockdown fund-raising effort.

Jack Mullen, 14, and 12-year-old Alfie King entertained the local community in Dumbarton, the Vale and surrounding areas by busking to help raise hundreds of pounds for the Balloch facility, run by Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

The duo took to the streets belting out hits from Lewis Capaldi and classic tracks by Johnny Cash and Elton John as well as performing online through Facebook Live.

Both boys play guitar and sing and over the course of only a few months raised an incredible £1,000 for charity, splitting the money evenly between the Beatson Cancer Charity and CHAS.

The boys are no strangers to CHAS, having donated Easter eggs and care packages to Robin House earlier this year.

Prior to lockdown, Jack also kindly donated the money he earned from his first ever professional gig to the charity.

Jack, from Bonhill, and a pupil at Vale of Leven Academy, said: “I feel really fortunate and I wanted to help children who are less fortunate than me. We just wanted to do our bit.”

Jack’s grandad James is a volunteer gardener at Robin House and Jack – who has also volunteered at the hospice – is looking forward to going back when restrictions have been lifted.

Alfie, who attends Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School, said: “We wanted to support charities that are very helpful in the community.

“CHAS helps children and their families so it’s great to be able to give something back.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated to help us achieve this.”

The boys delivered a cheque for £500 to Robin House and were thanked by staff for their generous donation,

Maxine Campbell, community fundraiser for CHAS, said: “Jack and Alfie are familiar faces at Robin House and truly are phenomenal fundraisers.

“During lockdown they’ve helped bring joy not only to everyone in Robin House but also the local community by busking and even singing outside local care homes. They also donated Easter Eggs and hamper boxes filled with tasty treats for CHAS staff. They really are a talented pair.”

Although Jack and Alfie are returning to school, they still have more fundraising plans up their sleeve and are taking part in a new challenge event recently launched by CHAS.

Maxine added: “We are so grateful for the boys continued support and wish them all the best when they take part in our Run 100, Raise 100 CHAS challenge next month.”

The Run 100 Raise 100 challenge encourages residents to run, walk or dance 100km throughout the month of September and agree to fundraise a minimum commitment of £100 in support of children with life shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.