A group of cyclists set off on a 500 mile challenge to raise money for children's charities as part of the STV Appeal.

The 22 cyclists set off from Ayr on Saturday on a six-day journey via every city in Scotland ending in Inverness.

On Sunday, thousands more cyclists will take part in the Pedal for Scotland event, which sets off from Glasgow and also raises money for the STV Children's Appeal.

The fundraising drive has received almost £14m in donations for a variety of projects aimed at tackling child poverty.

STV chief executive Rob Woodward, who is taking part in the challenge, said: "We're just about to embark on a 500 mile cycle all the way up through Scotland, we're going through every city ending up in Inverness on Thursday.

"We set up our appeal back in 2011 and since then we've raised just shy of £14m which is just amazing.

"We hope this year it will be another record year, helping the children in most need across Scotland."

He continued: "One in five children in Scotland is growing up beneath the European poverty line.

"This is 21st century Scotland, one of the richest nations in the world, that's shameful.

"We at STV, we wanted to do something about it and that's why we're here today."