FIT Ayrshire Dads have launched a blood donation drive in the hopes of saving lives this Christmas.

The group this week donated hundreds of pounds-worth of food to North Ayrshire Foodbank to help struggling families over the festive season.

The men handed over dozens of bags and boxes bulging with food after a plea from one of its members.

Founder Kevin Brown told the Times: “I was contacted by one of the Fit Ayrshire Dads who informed me that the local foodbank attached to his church had stated they were struggling to cope with demands of families in crisis.

“I couldn’t bear to hear this and knowing some kids were not getting food on the table. I knew we had the power to do something about that. I issued a week long challenge to the page to raise as much food and toiletries as possible for one mass handover to be spread across all North Ayrshire community foodbanks.

“As always the guys rose to the occasion and they raised a huge amount of things. They filled vans and cars and showed up in big numbers for the handover at Castlepark Community Centre.

“It was overwhelming to see. We filled three rooms with items. The guys were amazing. It was also good for them to be part of something so special.”

Kevin,41, says the boys are now hoping to give the blood banks a major boost this week.

He said: “Last year in December I issued giving back challenges to the page and wanted to do the same this year so this was the first one. This week is a new challenge , ‘the give blood Fit Ayrshire Dads Challenge’. We have invited all Fit Ayrshire Dads to get along to the Volunteer Rooms this Tuesday and Wednesday to give blood and help potentially save a life this Xmas.”

The NHS’s ScotBlood service will be accepting blood donations at the Volunteer rooms this December 3 and 4 between 2.30pm and 3.30pm and 5pm to 7.30pm.