WITH a nose for a good charity fundraiser, a local Labrador 'family' have helped get the ball rolling as their owners aim to make thousands of pounds for Children with Leukaemia.
Mum Polly, dad Google and energetic Mickey scouted out 400 golf balls last summer while on walkies in Mine Wood next to Bridge of Allan golf course. 
When the new season opens this Saturday, April 5, these will be sold for a pound each with Causewayhead pet owners Tony and Jennifer I'Anson donating all the cash.
The couple are also running the London marathon in aid of Children with Leukaemia the next weekend and believe they may have struck a hole in one with the golf ball idea.
Tony (38), Bridge of Allan's Merchants Association treasurer, who also runs the village's website, said: "There's got to be £100,000 lying in the grass in Scotland.
"If my dogs have found over 400 balls, there must be 100,000 lying around the country in the rough."
He and his wife Jennifer, a 34-year-old Stirling University IT support worker, want people to take part in the great golf ball hunt and have set up a special website.
The aim is for balls to be sent in for sale or for them to be sold via golf clubs and the money to then be given to Children with Leukaemia.
Of his canine chums who unearthed the mound of balls for this weekend's sale, Tony said: "The dogs are from working stock but for us they are just pets.
"It was a great way last summer to get them working.
"They were sniffing out the balls in the long grass."
He added: "It's amazing, every five minutes they came back with a ball."
Tony and Jennifer will be competing in their fourth and second London marathons respectively on April 13.
Previously they have made over £4000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign and the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.
Preparations are well underway for this year's 26 mile race, with the dogs having also enjoyed running sessions back home with the duo from Sheriffmuir. To buy golf balls this Saturday, April 5 head to Bridge of Allan golf club from 8am.
Donate to Children with Leukaemia via Tony and Jennifer's marathon website charity page at www.bmycharity.com/V2/ianson
And get involved with the great golf ball hunt at www.golfballhunt.com
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