YOUNGSTERS Fred Cooper and Isaac Wood are desperately hoping for snow and ice but it’s not because they want to sledge and build snowmen - they want to earn more sponsorship for charity.

Despite the wintry winds the brave nine-year-olds are wearing short trousers every day in a challenge to raise money for Parkinson’s disease.

So since September - come rain or shine - they’ve turned up at Aiskew and Leeming Bar Primary School in their shorts.

It was Fred’s idea to raise money for research into Parkinson’s disease which his gran Nicola Escott suffers from, and he’s planning to carry on until the end of the school year in July.

“It is cold, but it’s worth it,” he said.

“It’s the goosebumps that are the worst. I hate goosebumps. I would never normally wear shorts in the winter but that’s the point, it’s a challenge. I would really like to see worse weather, snow and ice, because then people would think they should give us more sponsorship,” he added.

His best friend Isaac decided to support him and said:”The worst thing is you have to go through the whole school day before you can get into a nice warm bath. I want snow because it’s just good to play in, wearing shorts wouldn’t put me off .”

The pair have around £100 worth of sponsorship so far and head teacher Stephen Simper is supporting them all the way.

“I think it is incredible they turn up every day in their shorts and they don’t complain they just carry on. It’s really enterprising,” he said.

To sponsor the bare knees challenge, contact the school on 01677-422403