FOR some eight-year-old girls, spending hours in the outdoors may not exactly be their idea of fun.

But for Irvine girl Hope Aitken, that couldn't be much further from the truth.

Hope and her father, Robert Aitken, had a very close bond and loved being in the outdoors together - walking or playing with their bow and arrow.

However, in September 2022, her dad sadly passed away - only nine days after he had an operation for pancreatic cancer.

Unsurprisingly, Hope has needed extra help to cope with her grief and emotions - which has been provided through her doctor, a support group and staff at her school, Castlepark Primary.

And now, big-hearted Hope has decided that she wants to help other young people at her school who may need a little extra help too.

She plans to do so by raising money to build a beautiful bench in the shape of a butterfly to gift to Castlepark Primary "as she doesn't like the thought of other pupils struggling the way she has".

Irvine Times: The beautiful bench in the shape of a butterfly Hope would like to gift to Castlepark Primary School.The beautiful bench in the shape of a butterfly Hope would like to gift to Castlepark Primary School. (Image: gofundme)

Mum Fiona has set up an online fund-raising page, and nature-loving Hope has set herself a task not many kids her age would even contemplate.

Her fund-raising page explains: "Hope is going to walk the West Highland Way (96 miles over seven days) starting July 14, 2023.

"It is her dream to raise £1,000 for a beautiful bench in the shape of a butterfly to gift to Castlepark Primary School.

"This is a huge challenge that Hope has set herself and is determined to achieve her goal, this is the first major positive step Hope has taken in her grief journey.

"She really wants to do something positive to help school pupils in memory of her dad and by doing the West Highland Way she knows that her dad would be with her every step of the way.

"The butterfly memory bench can be used for a variety of things from imaginative play, sit and chat with a friend, relax, or to spend a few minutes with your own thoughts.

"Please help Hope to smash her target so she can buy a butterfly shape bench for Castlepark Primary School in memory of her dad."

Hope is aiming to raise £1,000 to build the bench at her school - and is already well over halfway towards her target.

If you are interested in finding out more, and donating to her efforts, you can find her fund-raising page at tinyurl.com/HopeAitken.