Five thousand Kiltwalkers gathered in Edinburgh today [Sunday 18 September] and fell silent across the capital before setting off to raise over £2 million for 500 hard pressed Scottish charities.
A minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect and thanks for the life of the late Monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Pipers also played in moving scenes at the 21-mile Mighty Stride, the 13-mile Big Stroll, and the four-mile Wee Wander. Those still walking later in the day observed the national one minute’s silence at 8pm.
500 charities across Scotland will benefit from the first physical Kiltwalk to take place in the capital since 2019. Out of respect for those visiting the Queen’s official residence Holyrood Palace, The Mighty Stride moved away from Holyrood Park to a new Start at Bingham Medway.
The walkers’ fundraising is topped-up by 50% by The Hunter Foundation.
Sir Tom Hunter said “I am incredibly proud of the Kiltwalk community for the respect they have shown at the death of Her Majesty the Queen whilst at the same time raising funds for 500 charities who really need it.
“We thank each and every one of our Kiltwalk heroes for their amazing endeavours for the common good.”
Football legend Graeme Souness tackled the Mighty Strike alongside Commonwealth Gold winning boxers Sean Lazzerini and Reese Lynch. The trio walked and raised money for charity, DEBRA, just one of 500 different Scottish charities.
Businesses across Scotland came together to support the Kiltwalk with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Arnold Clark:
The Hunter Foundation underwrites The Kiltwalk
Royal Bank of Scotland and Arnold Clark are headline sponsors of Kiltwalk
Johnston Carmichael is Gold sponsor
Lidl is ‘Official Supermarket Partner’ providing delicious snacks to keep energy levels high
STV Children’s Appeal is the official grant making partner so those who choose to walk for Kiltwalk will see their funds distributed via STV Children’s Appeal
Trespass supply quality uniforms for Kiltwalk’s Kiltie volunteers and staff
Bullet Express is the ‘Official Logistics Partner’
First physical event in two years contributes £2.2m following 100% top up
Scotland’s legendary Kiltwalk Kindness has raised a remarkable £8.4 million for more than 1,200 charities across the country this year after 15,500 heroes put on a bit of tartan and took part in events.
The record-breaking sum includes £2.2 million raised last week by the first physical Kiltwalk in two years.
Scotland’s Kiltwalk, held on Sunday September 26 in Glasgow, attracted 4,000 walkers of all ages. Together they raised £1.1 million for almost 500 charities desperate for assistance following lockdown. In a video message Sir Tom Hunter revealed their fundraising total is being topped up by an astonishing 100% after The Hunter Foundation added 50% and the Kiltwalk itself provided a further 50%.
April’s Virtual event saw 11,500 Kiltwalkers raise £4.1 million, with an additional £2.05 million donated from the Hunter Foundation; assuring a massive £6.15 million for Scottish charities big and small.
Sir Tom Hunter said: “Last week we all got together to walk for charities we care about and the smiles on everyone’s faces said it all: Kiltwalk is back!
“Scotland’s Kiltwalk raised just over £1.1 million for the charities but after speaking to walkers we were so struck by how much of a lifeline Kiltwalk has been that we are topping up this figure not by 50% but by 100%; with 50% coming from The Hunter Foundation and 50% coming from the Kiltwalk itself. So that’s an amazing £2.2 million for Scottish charities.
“I’m also proud to confirm that 2021 is our biggest year ever, raising a staggering £8.4 million for more than 1,200 Scottish charities. At a time when those in need really needed help, the Kiltwalk community went beyond the call of duty, so I want to thank them and all of our sponsors, Royal Bank of Scotland, Arnold Clark and Johnston Carmichael for their Kiltwalk Kindness. We look forward to seeing you all in 2022.”
News of the 100% top up was welcomed by charities, who have faced a variety of challenges as a result of the pandemic.
Caroline Speirs, co-founder, Calum’s Cabin, which offers retreats on the Isle of Bute for families struggling with childhood cancer, said: “Kiltwalk is the largest fundraising annual event for Calum’s Cabin.
“It brings together Calum’s Cabin supporters from all walks of life including those who have been through the journey of their child suffering from cancer, families who are still going through the journey and tragically families who are walking in memory of their children.
“Receiving a 100% top up will be a great boost for us and will help make a real difference to the life of a child suffering from cancer.”
Fiona Leslie, senior community and challenge events fundraiser, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), said “After a phenomenal 100% top up from Sir Tom Hunter and the Kiltwalk CHAS walkers raised an amazing £67,832 at Scotland’s Kiltwalk, which will help our mission to reach every single baby, child and young person who needs us, despite the current situation.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have been one of the biggest charities taking part and we’d like to say a massive thank you to every walker who took on the challenge – we know it wasn’t easy! It was fantastic to be back at a live event after the pandemic.”
The Kiltwalk’s 50% top up of £550,000 was donated from the charity event’s reserves, which were built up from registration and sponsorship fees, and the ongoing support of staff and volunteers.
More than 900 charities get a much-needed cash boost after toughest year yet
Scotland’s Kiltwalkers and The Hunter Foundation have raised a massive £5 million for over 900 Scottish charities in 2020.
The Covid-19 pandemic saw all four of Kiltwalk’s planned events, in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh cancelled, but Kiltwalkers all over the country took part in virtual events to support their chosen charities.
The fundraising deadline for last week’s Edinburgh Big Virtual Weekend closed at midnight last night [Monday], which alone raised £1.3 million. Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation today announced this figure would not be topped-up by 50%, but will be doubled to 100%. This brings the fundraising from that weekend to £2.6 million.
Earlier this summer, Kiltwalk’s emergency pay-outs in Glasgow and Aberdeen plus the Dundee Virtual Kiltwalk raised £1.2 million and The Hunter Foundation doubled that to £2.4 million.
In total in 2020, Kiltwalkers raised £2.5 million and The Hunter Foundation doubled that to £5 million.
Sir Tom Hunter praised the Kiltwalk Kindness of the 16,000 Scots who dug deep as they walked, cycled, ran and swam separately all over Scotland observing the social distancing measures.
Sir Tom said in a video: “At a time when there’s not much good news about, we want to bring you some great news this morning from the Kiltwalk. The Edinburgh Virtual Kiltwalk took place and you hopped, skipped, jumped and even swam to raise money for what you care about. This morning, you have raised an amazing £1.3 million and more than 535 different Scottish charities will benefit, so thank you.
“As the numbers were coming in last night, we said if you can do £1.3 million, then we’ll do £1.3 million, so it’s a 100% top up from The Hunter Foundation this morning, because we just think you’re amazing.
“So in a year, a very strange year where we’ve not been able to walk together, for obvious reasons, but between Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and now Edinburgh, you Kiltwalkers have raised an amazing £2.5 million for the charities you care about and The Hunter Foundation has topped it up with another £2.5million.
“So this year, £5 million is going to the charities you care about, the folks who really need it are getting a hand up, not a hand out. So thank you. We’ll be back next year, no doubt about it. You can’t keep a good Kiltwalker down!”
Donna Paterson-Harvie, Founder of Neil’s Hugs charity, based in Linlithgow, said: “A huge thanks to everyone that supported us! We’re a tiny charity in West Lothian and having over 100 people raising funds means the world.
“The £15,000 raised – now £30,000 – will allow us to continue to offer one-to-one and group support for people affected by suicide and support those struggling with poor mental health by helping to reduce isolation and offering virtual safe spaces. Given the current climate, demand for this support is higher than ever so we are so grateful to the walkers, those who donated and Sir Tom Hunter”.
Co-founder, Chair and Director of Fundraising at It’s Good 2 Give, Lynne McNicoll OBE said: “Our heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every Kiltwalker and those who donated.
“Every penny of the £30,000 raised, plus Sir Tom’s incredible kindness takes it to £60,000 and this will allow us to continue supporting young cancer patients and their families by providing practical support such as supermarket vouchers, family activity packs and even equipment such as Vein Finder machines that help reduce the trauma of treatment for young cancer patients.
“It’s so difficult for everyone just now so we are super grateful to our supporters for the vital funds now more than ever”.
Bridie Ashrowan, CEO of Space and Broomhill Hub said: “All funds raised will go to Space & The Broomhouse Hub. We support hundreds of vulnerable families, young people and older folk in South West Edinburgh, particularly with well-being which is badly needed amid the Covid crisis.
“Our café courtyard area has never been more important, so funds raised will also go towards completing that, with the help of local people in the community, to make it a lovely space. Our profound thanks to all, we raised £950 and to The Hunter Foundation for the 100% top up to £1,900. It makes those 24 miles and Lyn’s bungee jump for the Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend all the more meaningful!”
Vulnerable families are set to benefit from new funding to support households in financial hardship – and North Edinburgh’s L.I.F.T is one of seven projects aimed at tackling child poverty to receive a share of the new £450,000 fund.
LIFT (Low Income Families Together), based in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre, will receive over £70,000.
The money is a part of the Every Child, Every Chance Innovation Fund, which is jointly supported by the Scottish Government and The Hunter Foundation.
The fund aims to support innovative approaches which could have an impact on reducing child poverty by 2030. The projects range from job training and a befriending service, to school-based mentoring and support for lone parents.
One of the successful projects is Stepwell, a social business based in Inverclyde, which provides support to people in the local community with health and finance issues as well as training and employment opportunities.
At a visit to meet staff and service users, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We are committed to tackling child poverty and are always looking for new ways to support households and families in financial hardship. No child or adult should have their chances limited by poverty.
“It has been great to hear about the approach being taken by Stepwell to tackle child poverty in Inverclyde. Their method aims to get to the root cause of any hardship and through encouragement, support and training, families can begin to change their lives.”
Steven Watson Chief Executive Officer at Stepwell, said: “Stepwell is absolutely committed to tackling child poverty in Inverclyde. Through our Whole Life approach, we focus on providing person-centred support, offering vocational and accredited training and ‘real’ business work placements within our social businesses.
“We are so grateful to The Hunter Foundation and Scottish Government for partnering with us.”
The Innovation Fund is a joint fund between the Scottish Government and The Hunter Foundation, each contributing £5 million and £2.5 million respectively over the life of Every Child, Every Chance.
The below table details the organisations awarded funding for 2018/19
New organisations via application
Award – 2018/19
Clyde Gateway
£9,900
Covey Befriending
£11,994
L.I.F.T
£70,177
MCR Pathways – Scottish Mentoring Programme
£97,000
Midlothian Sure Start
£121,914
North Lanarkshire Council
£41,000
Stepwell
£99,900
Total £451,885
An update on all actions committed to within the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan will be published by the end of June 2019.
Multi-million pound fund is open for applications.
Communities and charities with new ideas to tackle child poverty will be given the opportunity to bid for part of a new £7.5 million Innovation Fund. Announced as part of the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, the fund, financed by the Scottish Government and the Hunter Foundation, is now open for applications from communities, local charities, health boards and councils.
A panel with membership from across the sector will judge the applications, which will support new or existing projects that will have an impact on reducing child poverty by 2030.
Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: “We want to tackle child poverty and ensure the very best outcomes for children today, and generations to come. As a government, we are taking bold action through our Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, but we need to work together to make a difference.
“We want to ensure that if actions to tackle poverty are working well in some communities, they can be shared elsewhere so more children and families can benefit. Government can’t end child poverty on our own – so partnerships are vital to make change happen.”
Sir Tom Hunter, chairman of the Hunter Foundation added: “This is about engaging with local communities and people who can make a real difference. The fund’s priority is to meet the needs of families and carers and up to £100,000 per organisation can make a real difference. It is time Scotland changed the dynamic on poverty and set about leading the world in its eradication.”
The Innovation Fund will support both new and the expansion of existing approaches that will have an impact on reducing child poverty by 2030 in a way that helps families to remain out of poverty for a minimum three year period and are viable and sustainable practices for public sector/third sector.
A scrutiny panel from across the public, private and third sector will provide advice on applications, members of the panel will include:
Jim McCormick (JRF)
Anna Fowlie (SCVO)
Sarah Gadsden (Improvement Service)
Gerry McLaughlin (NHS Health Scotland)
Fraser McKinlay (Audit Scotland)
Applications are now open and will close at midnight on 29 June 2018 with awards being made, subject to final diligence and shortlisted interviews/project visits, no later than 17 August 2018.
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