Tag: Kiltwalk 2020

Kiltwalk raises £5 million for Scotland’s charities

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!”

For further information about the Kiltwalk visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk.

Annette will do Kiltwalk along Water of Leith to say thank you to sight loss charity

Undeterred by lockdown, the Edinburgh Kiltwalk is happening in virtual form this year, and still inviting people to raise funds for their favourite charity, money that will be topped up by a further 50 percent from Sir Tom Hunter’s Foundation.

Clearly, tartan-clad hordes can’t descend on the streets of the capital as in previous years. Instead, this September the Virtual Kiltwalk can be completed in your local area, keeping within social distancing guidelines. Over the weekend September 11-13th you simply don some tartan, go for a walk of any length, and raise funds for your chosen cause.

But if walking isn’t your thing the organisers invite you to create your own Kiltwalk challenge. You can skip a mile in tartan, do a kilted ‘trampoline-a-thon’, or even an all-day Highland fling!

Annette West is both walking and talking the walk. She will be raising much needed funds for sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, which is based in Edinburgh.

“I have experienced sight loss for over 30 years but have always been helped and supported by RNIB Scotland,” says Annette (60). “Since having two successful eye operations to restore my sight four years ago my life has changed again. I now feel that I want to give back something to RNIB Scotland by taking part in the Virtual Kiltwalk.”

Annette  aims to walk the Water of Leith on Sunday, September 13th, starting from Cannon Mills and finishing at Colinton, a distance of six miles.

“People can either join me at the start and do the whole walk to the finish, or join me anywhere along the route,” she says. “I was inspired by listening to Kings Church Sunday service on YouTube and they talked about walking along the Water of Leith. It was a light-bulb moment as I live in Leith and can invite a few of my friends to join me along different sections and make my way back home.

“The Water of Leith is beautiful and local so, taking into account social distancing and restrictions which may still be in place, I can do a mini walk.

“I decided to do the Virtual Kiltwalk after a conversation with a friend, Irene, who I have known and have worked with for many years but who is terminally ill with cancer. She suggested to me that I could get a piece of paper and write whatever came into my head relating to why I might want to do the virtual Kiltwalk.

“So I thought, firstly, this is my way of saying thank you to the RNIB Scotland for all the years that they have helped me on my sight loss journey. I want to help other people with sight loss by sharing my story, knowledge and experience. I want to help them feel confident about themselves in order to live happy, meaningful and purposeful daily lives.

“I also believe that staying mentally healthy is essential. During this period of lockdown we all have to take responsibility for our own mental state and this has given me something to focus on. I feel that a healthy mind and body go hand in hand. During lockdown, I have found it very difficult to take exercise and stay motivated. But since hearing about the Virtual Kiltwalk, I have become re-energised and it has rekindled my passion for walking.

“And as a radio presenter with the Heart Song Live station, I can appreciate the value of sharing my story and hope that it can help to inspire, encourage and help others to fully live their lives.”

To sponsor Annette, please donate to her page at 

https://edinburghkiltwalk2020.everydayhero.com/uk/netwalk2020

Edinburgh Kiltwalk goes Virtual to support cash-strapped charities

SIR TOM HUNTER ADDS 50% FUNDRAISING BOOST

Kiltwalkers have been urged to don some tartan and take part in a weekend-long virtual version of the Edinburgh event after this year’s walk was cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

The Big Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend will take place between September 11-13.

Participants are being challenged to get active, whilst adhering to social distancing measures, and raise much-needed funds for charities of their choice.

Every pound raised will be topped up by a 50% donation from The Hunter Foundation.

In 2020 so far, Kiltwalkers and The Hunter Foundation have raised and distributed £2.5 million, including £600,000 raised by a virtual version of the Dundee Kiltwalk.

It has also been confirmed that the Glasgow and Aberdeen Kiltwalks, which were postponed amid lockdown, can no longer go ahead, with participants being encouraged to join the Big Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend in September instead.

In a new video message, Sir Tom Hunter told Kiltwalkers that their kindness is needed more than ever. Many charities are struggling to survive after losing income to COVID-19.

Sir Tom said: “We can’t all get together, but we’re going to go virtual. We tried it in Dundee and it was a fantastic success.

“You can walk, swim, bounce on your space hopper – do whatever you want, for the charity of your choice. If ever there was a time when the folk who need our help need it most, it is now. So, put on a wee bit of tartan and get involved, get together, and get into the Kiltwalk spirit.”

For further information about the Kiltwalk visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk.

To view Sir Tom’s video message visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSMfyDjXqGE.