Almost 13,000 school children from across the city have been walking miles since February in the aim of reaching Malawi before the end of term!

However, instead of being bogged down with planes, train and automobiles the route was a virtual one and organised by council officers to raise money for Malawi Leaders of Learning.

Each pupil was given a mile card and sponsor form and it was left to them to devise how they would clock-up the miles both in school and at home.

Fifty schools signed-up for this exciting challenge and in addition to the youngsters keeping fit they have collectively raised £11, 571 for charity through sponsorship.

Walk a mile for Malawi came hot on the heels of the 2010 Glasgow Schools’ Mile-a-thon event when schools raised money for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of the marathon.

Anna Tait from the council’s partnership team was instrumental in the organisation of this year’s project and is delighted with the response and money raised by the youngsters.

She said: “A special coloured map was produced for the participating schools so that they could track their progress and tick off the miles.

“Every young person who took part has also received a congratulatory certificate for their efforts.

“Well done to everyone and they raised a fantastic amount of money to improve learning and teaching in Malawi.”