Tag: Kiltwalk

Charity fundraiser to complete Kiltwalk challenge to help keep children safe from abuse

An NSPCC Scotland fundraiser from East Lothian, will walk thirteen miles, play tennis for nine hours and walk her dog for six miles over three days (16 – 18 April) to help protect children from harm.

Linda Hamilton, from Port Seton, has worked as a community fundraising manager for NSPCC Scotland for four years and will take on the three-day challenge as part of this year’s virtual Kiltwalk. The money raised will be topped up by 50% by the Hunter Foundation, organisers of the annual event.

Linda Hamilton, community fundraising manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “This last year has been tough for all of us, and children have been the hidden victims of the pandemic.

“With schools closed for lots of the last year, children have been cut off from their friends and support networks, with many young people feeling alone and isolated, and some, sadly, having to deal with bereavement.”

The NSPCC supports children and young people around the country by providing its Childline service, which children can contact to speak to a trained counsellor about anything they are worried about.

The charity also has a service centre in Govan, Glasgow, which provides community outreach and therapeutic services to local families, helping them to provide the best support to their children.

Linda added: “It has also been a challenging year for fundraising, as most events were postponed, cancelled or held virtually. But that’s not stopped our amazing supporters from coming up with innovative ways of raising funds. 

“After last year’s Kiltwalk was cancelled, one of our Childline volunteers, Siobhain, took it upon herself to walk a full marathon in her back garden, taking her more than eight hours, raising £1,000.

“We’ve also had people host virtual quizzes and bingo games, as well as ‘celebrate and donate’ in which supporters have simply set up a Just Giving page and asked their friends and family to make a donation instead of buying them a gift for their birthday or other celebration.

“I signed up for my three-day Kiltwalk challenge because I know how important the work of the NSPCC is, and the real difference it can make in children and young people’s lives.”

Linda will complete the challenge around Port Seton, and the ‘tennisathon’ will take place at her local club of eight years, Longniddry Tennis Club.

Linda said: “We can only continue to be there to support children and young people with the help of the general public, and if anyone would like to fundraise for the NSPCC, please do get in touch with me at linda.hamilton@nspcc.org.uk”

To sign up for this year’s virtual Kiltwalk, and raise money for NSPCC Scotland, search ‘virtual kiltwalk’, and to sponsor Linda in her challenge visit: https://bit.ly/3mvhfsY

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free on 0808 800 5000. Children can call Childline at any time on 0800 1111.

Fundraise for Held In Our Hearts this September

Held In Our Hearts are looking for your help in virtual events in September

The Edinburgh Marathon weekend was due to take place on 5th and 6th September and now will be a virtual event.

You can sign up and run your chosen distance anytime between now and the end of December  and fundraise for Held In Our Hearts. You will still receive that all important blue t -shirt and medal. https://virtual.edinburghmarathon.com

The Edinburgh Kiltwalk was due to take place on 13th September  but will now go ahead as a virtual event.

You can still sign up and walk your chosen distance and fundraise for the charityhttps://thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/edinburgh

Held In Our Hearts is a local charity proving baby loss counselling and support to families. Formerly known as SANDS Lothians, we have 40 years’ experience of offering compassionate care bereavement care in the community.

When a family’s baby dies, it is an incredibly traumatic and extremely lonely time as parents struggle to find others who can connect with the overwhelming emotions they experience.

The majority of our staff are bereaved themselves, so we are there to let them know they are not alone. Through our support services, we journey with families providing empathy, while they start to come to terms with what has happened and help support them in their grief.

As we are now going into the second half of 2020  bereaved families need your support more than ever and as the world starts to return to a new normal our families know that life without their precious baby is a new normal for them.

For more information on your events or if you want to fundraise in other ways you can contact tracy@heldinourhearts.org.uk

New Zealand women complete the Dundee Virtual Kilt Walk while UK sleeps

While Scotland slept on Thursday night, two women finished the virtual Dundee Kiltwalk almost as far from the city as it is possible to get.

Jane Ludemann and her mother Elspeth walked up Signal Hill in Dunedin, New Zealand, three times. They began at 9:30am on Friday the 3rd of July New Zealand time, which is 10:30pm on Thursday GMT.

Signal Hill is 393 metres (1289 feet) high.

They chose this  hill because the monument at its summit is hewn from the rock on which Edinburgh Castle stands and they completed the Kiltwalk to raise money for research into low grade serous ovarian carcinoma at the University of Edinburgh.

When Jane was diagnosed with this rare form of cancer at the age of 32, three years ago, she discovered that there was very little research on the disease and no way to fund research into it anywhere in the world.

That spurred her to establish Cure Our Ovarian Cancer, a charitable trust dedicated to increasing awareness of LGSOC, supporting women with the disease and raising funds for research into better treatments and an eventual cure.

The University of Edinburgh is their UK charity partner. Cure Our Ovarian Cancer hopes to part fund a researcher at the University of Edinburgh to develop better laboratory models of the cancer to help find new treatments.

Since 2019 they’ve raised over £10,000 of their £25,000 target.

“University of Edinburgh’s Professor Charlie Gourley has provided national leadership of low-grade serous clinical trials in the UK.  Furthermore the work of his research team is world renowned,” Jane said.

“Historically low-grade serous ovarian cancer has been overlooked. It disproportionately affects young women and the overall survival rates are really poor. It’s really confronting to stare death in the face at such a young age. If I don’t survive, the thing I want most in the world is to know this won’t happen to someone else. Knowing that Professor Gourley is on the other side of the world, working hard to improve survival, makes life that bit easier”, says Jane. 

Elspeth said that when Jane was diagnosed she and her husband Grant said they would do anything they could to help her: “I didn’t think that would entail climbing a steep hill three times, but thankfully the Kiltwalk is about distance not speed.”

The rock at the top of the hill isn’t the only link between the Ludemann’s Kiltwalk and Scotland. Elspeth’s father, Charles Sime, was born in Dundee and lived there until he immigrated to New Zealand in his 20s.

“Although Dad ended up living in New Zealand longer than he lived in Scotland, he retained his accent and took great pride in wearing his kilt,” Elspeth said.

“He would be very sad that his granddaughter has cancer but so proud of what she is doing to raise awareness and funds. He loved tramping and would be tickled pink that we are doing the Kiltwalk with its link to him home town.”

Six hours and 30 000 steps later the pair finished their walk. Jane said: “I don’t think we’ll win any prizes for speed but we put in a lot of effort. I’m looking forward to an early night.

“I’m thrilled that we have been able to support the University of Edinburgh’s cancer research today, from the other side of the world.”

To make a donation to Jane’s efforts go to: https://dundeekiltwalk2020.everydayhero.com/uk/jane-3

Amazon Edinburgh team walks the walk for Edinburgh Women’s Aid

The Amazon Customer Services Centre in Edinburgh took part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to raise funds for Edinburgh Women’s Aid.

Thirteen members of the Amazon team walked a combined 198 miles in Edinburgh, raising over £2,220 for the charity. The Hunter Foundation added another 40% to the donation bringing the total amount raised by Amazon for Edinburgh Women’s Aid to £3,248. Continue reading Amazon Edinburgh team walks the walk for Edinburgh Women’s Aid

Lindsay & Gilmour staff raise funds to enhance the lives of those experiencing chronic illness

A 32 strong team of Pharmacy professionals from Lindsay & Gilmour will take to the streets of Edinburgh this Sunday to complete a 24 mile walk raising funds to support people facing long term health challenges. Continue reading Lindsay & Gilmour staff raise funds to enhance the lives of those experiencing chronic illness

Captain Corsie rallies supporters for Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Captain of the Scottish women’s football team, Rachel Corsie, has urged members of the public to swap their football kits for kilts ahead of the upcoming Royal Bank of Scotland Edinburgh Kiltwalk.

The defender, who led her national team to its first World Cup finals this summer in France, filmed a message of support ahead of the event on September 15.

Rachel said: “Congratulations to everyone who has participated in the Kiltwalk so far this year. Great job! There’s one last event left in Edinburgh on 15 September – please sign up and raise money for a charity of your choice.

“Very generously The Hunter Foundation has agreed to increase whatever you raise by 40%. Get out there, encourage each other, support, donate, walk – do it all!”

Susanne Morrison, Head of Marketing, said: “Rachel, along with the whole Scotland team, were an inspiration over the summer with their performance during the World Cup, and it’s great to see her getting behind the Kiltwalk and showing her support.

“The 2019 Kiltwalk is on track to be bigger and more successful than ever before, and with your help we can surpass the £1million raised for Scottish charities by walkers in Edinburgh last year.”

Kiltwalk has already seen more than 20,000 walkers participate in the Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee events earlier this year and is hoping to raise more than last year’s total of £5million for charities across the country, including the 40% boost from The Hunter Foundation.

The Edinburgh Kiltwalk is the final event this year, taking place on Sunday 15 September. The 24-mile Mighty Stride begins at Holyrood Park, before looping back to finish at the Kiltwalk village at BT Murrayfield. With the 14-mile Big Stroll and the five-mile Wee Wander, there is a walk for everyone.

For more information about the Kiltwalk, or to register, visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk

Show Kiltwalk some love!

Love Island star Anton Danyluk has called on fellow Scots to sign up to this year’s last two remaining Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk events.

Airdrie-born Anton, who shot to fame on the popular ITV2 show, has “got a text” for the nation via video message, urging people to participate in the events in Dundee and Edinburgh.

He also congratulated the Kiltwalk for becoming the fifth biggest mass-participation charity event in the UK, climbing an incredible nine places from last year.

Anton said: “I would just like to congratulate Kiltwalk in all their successes. As a fellow Scot, it’s amazing to see.”

Kiltwalk has already seen more than 16,000 walkers participate in the Glasgow and Aberdeen events earlier this year, raising £4.5 million for charities across the country, including the 40% boost from The Hunter Foundation.

Anton continued: “I just want to encourage you guys to get involved. Get your kilt on, sign up to one of the events and raise money for a charity that means a lot to you.”

Last year, 20,082 walkers helped to raise £3.6 million for 1,156 charities across Scotland. Thanks to backing from Sir Tom Hunter, a 40% top-up by The Hunter Foundation brought the impressive total to more than £5 million.

Kiltwalk Chief Executive Paul Cooney said: “It’s brilliant to have another high-profile Scot showing support for our event. We’re thrilled to have Anton’s backing for this year’s Kiltwalks, and I’d like to say a huge thank you for his amazing support.

“To the people of Dundee and Edinburgh, we want you to “crack on” with the last two remaining Kiltwalks to be bigger than ever before, raising those all-important funds for Scotland’s amazing charities. Like Anton said, grab your kilt and get walking!”

Registration for the Dundee and Edinburgh events are open. Events will take place on:

  • 18 August in Dundee
  • 15 September in Edinburgh

For more information about the Kiltwalk, or to register, visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk