EIGHT four-year-old friends from Southbourne will be scooting along the promenade to Boscombe Pier to fundraise for a housing and homelessness charity.

Lexi Woodall, Sophie Pratt, Victoria Haley, Felicity Collins, Ella Mepham, Cleo Hawkins, Henry Simpson and Ivy Hammond will be donning their helmets and riding their scooters from Hengistbury Head to Boscombe Pier on Sunday, December 6.

The friends were inspired by Beth Mepham, Ella's mum, who has been fundraising for Shelter through her work, Nationwide.

Beth said: "We were fundraising for Shelter at work, which got me thinking about our kids and their experience of Christmas. I talked to Ella about ways we could support the charity, and I came up with the idea of scooting along the promenade.

"All of the kids and their parents are really excited and involved in the fundraiser. Everyone loves the idea of doing something for other people at this time."

The initial aim was to raise £30 per child, but the group has quickly surpassed its £250 target.

Beth said: "We have seen a huge amount raised already and its popularity has been increasing. £855 has been raised so far, so we increased our target to £1,000.

"This fundraiser will probably be a big challenge as four-year-olds can be very volatile, but they will be encouraged by parents and family along the way with sweets and support. We will drag them along the finish line if we have to."

To donate to fundraiser, search 4k Scoot for Shelter on justgiving.com