Kiltwalk heroes step up to achieve record-breaking Glasgow event

Glasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today (Sunday April 28) as the world’s biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £3.2 million.

More than 14,100 kind-hearted Kiltwalk heroes were on the streets of the country’s biggest city to raise much-needed funds for 900 Scottish charities.

Sir Tom Hunter, Judy Murray and STV’s Laura Boyd and Phillip Petrie were at the start at Glasgow Green to wave off 7,500 Mighty Striders who walked the 22.6 miles to scenic Moss O’Balloch Park at Loch Lomond.

Another 4,000 heroes trekked the 14 miles from Three Queens Square Clydebank to Balloch and 2,600 Kiltwalkers took on the 3-mile scenic Wee Wander from Loch Lomond Shores to the Kiltwalk Village at Moss O’Balloch Park.

The Hunter Foundation, which underwrites the Kiltwalk, surprised 10 charities during the day with “The Happiest Minute at Kiltwalk”. Each charity received £5,000 to help in these difficult economic times.

Sir Tom Hunter said: “Kiltwalk is quite simply the easiest way to raise money for a charity that you care about. Today, in Glasgow, we’ve already raised more than £3.2 million for 900 different Scottish charities. We have more than 14,000 people taking part, because it’s easy to do, and offers incredible value for money – you pay a small amount to walk and everything you raise goes to the charity of your choice.

“It is staggering. Since The Hunter Foundation got involved over eight years ago, more than 166,000 Kiltwalkers have helped to raise more than £46m for 3,500 different Scottish charities. Everyone who takes part has a story and every community in Scotland has a deserving cause.”

Along the way, there were six pit stops offering delicious snacks from Kiltwalk’s Official Supermarket partner Lidl and encouragement from a range of charities including Beatson Cancer Charity, SAMH, CHAS, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Calum’s Cabin and Action for Children.

Maisie McCormick, community fundraising manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “What an amazing day at the Glasgow Kiltwalk!

“The Kiltwalk is always a special event, but this year we had our highest ever number of participants, with over 800 people taking on this incredible challenge as part of Team Beatson.

“We loved cheering everyone on from Pit Stop 1 at the Riverside Museum and giving them a chance to take a break and grab a snack.

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the event for our charity – your support will allow us to continue and develop new services for cancer patients and their families.”

All Glasgow Kiltwalkers who registered and fundraised are in with a chance of winning a car worth £30,000 thanks to headline sponsor, Arnold Clark.

Eddie Hawthorne, CEO at Arnold Clark, said: “At Arnold Clark, we’re passionate about giving back to Scotland’s communities and embracing opportunities to help.

“That’s why we are out in force today at Glasgow Kiltwalk, rallying the walkers and helping them enjoy their day - including the many Arnold Clark employees who are taking part. We are also especially excited that one lucky Kiltwalker will win £30,000 to spend at Arnold Clark on their dream car. Good luck everyone!”

Thanks to support from fellow headline sponsor Royal Bank of Scotland, all finish line meals were served in compostable pots and all rubbish from the day was fully recycled and reused with nothing going to landfill.

Judith Cruickshank, Chair, Royal Bank of Scotland’s One Bank Scotland Board, said: “The Glasgow Kiltwalk is one of the great social and fundraising highlights for the city and once again Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to partner this fantastic event.

“It is no surprise that it is a sell-out and many of our colleagues joined the thousands of walkers taking part from across the country, each with their own goals and ambition for getting involved.

“As well as partnering the event, many of our colleagues are volunteering, working with organisations like the Binn Group, helping to make this a safe and sustainable event.

“Kiltwalk makes such a positive difference to communities across Scotland and everyone taking part should be proud of the impact their involvement will have.”

The famous Kiltwalk Village entertainment was provided by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Gold sponsor Johnston Carmichael’s “Akiltant” stilt-walkers strode out to add to the fun.

Aberdeen Kiltwalk is on 2 June, St Andrews to Dundee on 11 August, and Edinburgh on 15 September.

It’s just £20 for walkers taking on the Mighty Stride and Big Stroll. Adults doing the Wee Wander will pay £12.50 and children £6.50. Kiltwalkers can raise money for any charity they choose, with funding going directly to their chosen cause, plus Gift Aid. This means that charities will receive up to 125% of all funds raised at Kiltwalk.