A YOUNG piper has continued a fundraising drive for Strathcarron Hospice, having previously raised enough money to fund the good cause for a full day.

Max Rae, an S5 pupil at Dollar Academy, completed a mammoth fundraising challenge in 2020 to secure the £12,900 the hospice needed to operate on New Year's Day 2021.

This year, the talented 16-year-old – who plays in the world champion Dollar Academy Juvenile Pipe Band – has continued the drive despite other commitments.

Max's grand total for the hospice stands at £16,500 following the festive season, which has seen him piping around the area and near his Bridge of Allan home.

His proud dad, John Rae, told the Advertiser: "He's done a great job – it's just to try and get young people thinking about helping others.

"He is delighted and people have been so generous because the hospice is such a deserving cause."

As previously reported, the young talent – who has been piping since the age of 11 – started off his fundraising with a 100 night piping challenge during the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

At the time he lifted spirits by surprising people outside care homes and in gardens on birthdays, wedding anniversaries and other special occasions.

With that challenge complete, he set his sights on reaching the nearly £13,000 goal for the hospice by the end of 2020.

Later, he helped bring in the new year for the hospice, teaming up with HND Media students from Forth Valley College to shoot a film at Stirling Castle on a cold and rainy afternoon.

The final product appeared on Strathcarron Hospice's social media channels on New Year's Day, delighting many.

John hopes Max will be able to keep up with the piping challenge until he leaves Dollar Academy.

He said: "Let's just see what we can do with it.

"He's got his Highers this year, but then in his sixth year he will be able to do a bit more – if he could do that that would be fabulous."

To keep up to date with Max – who is also believed to be the world's first wakesurfing bagpiper as reported in 2017 – people can find the Max The Piper page on Facebook.