A pair of schoolboys from Edinburgh have donated 60 sleeping bags to their local church in aid of the city's homeless community.

After noticing the number of people sleeping rough in the town, pupils Corey and Finlay decided to take action by completing a 50km sponsored walk to raise cash for a local church's homeless outreach programme. 

The boys used the money raised to not only purchased sleeping bags, but also essential items like soap, hand sanitiser and winter gloves.

Corey's mum Kirsten said that the boys picked out all the items themselves, before making up the kits by hand. "The boys have smashed their 50km but will continue to walk until the 20th February and surprise everyone with their total amount," she told Edinburgh Live. 

The Parish Church of St Cuthbert, which serves Sunday meals to the homeless in conjunction with local charity Steps to Hope SCIO - said it was delighted with boys' dedication to those less fortunate and had been giving out the sleeping bags to all those in need.

Rev Peter Sutton said: "Every Sunday we have a meal and a gathering for the homeless. Before lockdown, we could all come inside and have a meal but now you have to grab it and go out in the kirkyard.

"We also provide clothing and, at this time of year, we try to get more sleeping bags in.

"We got about ten sleeping bags two weeks ago but they've all been given out, so we're hoping we can get a few more in before Sunday.

"Although there are other options for the homeless, not everyone can go into a managed environment, like single rooms.