BIG-HEARTED fundraisers in the Borders are set to become superheroes for the day next month.

Businesses, schools and individuals across the region will don the outfit of their favourite character to help disadvantaged children.

The Radio Borders Cash for Kids fundraiser has become a popular event in recent years.

Staff in Emtelle in Hawick and Matalan in Galashiels will be encouraging staff to suit up.

Meanwhile, Go Outdoors in Berwick are planning an in-store super-cycle.

The Bauer Media charity raised over £23 million last year to support 709,000 kids in the UK.

And now, they want Borderers to support them yet again in this year’s superhero day.

Among the 200 children in the Borders and North Northumberland being supported by this year's fundraiser will be 13-year old Kelis Bloomfield from Berwick.

Kelis has been restricted by ill health for most of her young life, and has largely been denied the chance to live a normal life.

Kelis’s dad, Stewart, said: “Kelis has been in and out of hospitals from Edinburgh to Newcastle since she was a baby.

"Her respiratory and gastric problems mean she can’t go out or attend school as her friends do.

“She can’t even invite friends home because her bedroom is full of medical equipment. At 13, your mum and dad shouldn’t be your best friends, she’s completely missing out on being a normal teenager.”

Fundraising has already started to provide a space for Kelis in her garden that reduces the chances of allergic reaction.

Several local contractors including Tweed Landscapes, Malcolm Miller Builders and Fraser McGregor Fencing are helping out, and Jewson and MKM are amongst suppliers who are donating materials.

£5,000 is needed to complete the project for Kelis, and Cash for Kids manager Candy Rafferty hopes that everyone will be a superhero for the day.

She said: “We’ve already raised over £3,300 for Kelis but another £5000 is needed to complete the project." This is just one of many applications on the charity’s books that we want to fulfil, and that’s why we’re appealing for everyone to find their inner superhero on May 4 to help a local child.”

If you’d like to find out how you can get involved, visit: https://bit.ly/2K0PBjG