A SPOOKY Stroll in the Wee County not only brought the community together, it also raised valuable funds for a good cause and even rescued a tiny hedgehog.

The event was organised this month in aid of Strathcarron Hospice by Tillicoultry mother Kelly-Marie Hearsum who is firmly becoming a seasoned fundraiser, having arranged her fifth event for a good cause in recent memory.

The stroll took the around 30 participants on a route from Sterling Mills to Sauchie on what initially looked like a rainy day but luckily the skies held off and did not spoil the fun, indeed all are said to have had a brilliant time.

To keep the young people, who donned fancy dresses, entertained the stroll was also a nature walk with relevant items to spot and collect along the way.

A stall with refreshments and goodie bags, a courtesy of the Strathcarron Hospice shop in Alloa where the staff and volunteers do not get enough credit for their hard work according to Kelly-Marie, was also set up at the finish line.

Along the walk, as the Advertiser understands, a baby hedgehog was also spotted all on its own and as it appeared to be abandoned at a time when the animals may start hibernating it was rescued to the Scottish SPCA's centre at Fishcross.

Including proceeds from the day as well as donations online, nearly £205 was raised on the day for the hospice.

Kelly-Marie, who organised the event during the October school holiday in part to offer local families an activity, said: "The kids loved the nature walk and that's what kept them going because it is quite a hike for the young ones, but they never showed that.

"It was brilliant.

"Big thanks to the Strathcarron Hospice shop in Alloa, they had the majority of their staff involved that day.

"They don't get enough credit; they do a lot outside the hospice [and shop], they help the community.

"Everybody played a part, it was great."

The local woman, whose charity ventures were previously supported by the Alloa Strathcarron shop so she wanted to give something back.

She added: "The community is brilliant, I really can't thank them enough, especially with the other events I have done, it's just the community rallying around for each other, to come together and help."

Kelly-Marie also praised the work ongoing at the Denny-based hospice where many local families found support and care when they needed it the most.

She said: "You need to keep hospices such as Strathcarron alive to get that service."

In the past, the Tillicoultry woman's fundraising ventures benefited MND Scotland, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, mental health support and she also organised an event to tackle homelessness in the past.

Thanks go to all involved, the Strathcarron shop in Alloa as well as family.