On Friday 29th June Dundee’s constituency MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison will be ‘captured’ at some point during the morning and held for ransom by pirates aboard HMS Unicorn.

A number of local celebrities will also be captured on the same day by the enterprising pirates – including Dundee United legend David Bowman, entrepreneur Chris Van Der Kuyl and local businessman Derek Souter.

They will be held in the Captain’s Cabin aboard the famous vessel and, given only a mobile phone and a list of business contacts, colleagues and friends, won’t be released until they have raised a ransom fee.

However, as the pirates are barely old enough to be at primary school let alone be trained in the art of swashbuckling it is unlikely that the MSPs will be forced to walk the plank and keelhauling will probably not be part of the deal!

The jolly crew of pirates are in fact acting on behalf of Action for Children and hoping that each captive will raise £1000 to help children and young people across Scotland achieve their full potential.

Shona explains: “Action for Children Scotland supports over 8,000 children, young people and their families at 62 projects across the country. The children and young people they support have hopes and dreams for their future but face daily challenges such as disability, deprivation, homelessness and abuse.

“We’ve already started to fundraise – just to be sure we raise enough to secure our release on the day  – nice as the interior of HMS Unicorn is, we have a busy schedule on the 29^th and incarceration for longer would seriously inconvenience our constituents!”

Joe FitzPatrick said: “We’re asking all our colleagues, friends and contacts to consider donating, not just to secure our release – but because it is such a good cause.

“Donating online through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. You can follow our progress in fundraising at our page: https://www.justgiving.com/shona-robison-msp-and-joe-fitzpatrick-msp