Kiltwalkers stride out to help Scotland’s charities

Parks, paths and pavements in Glasgow were awash with tartan today [Sunday 26 September] as Scotland’s Kiltwalk took to the streets for the first time in two years: Kiltwalkers set-out on the nation’s favourite mass participation charity event.

4,000 heroes of all ages from all over Scotland laced up their boots and marched out for nearly 500 charities of their choice after events planned in 2020 and early 2021 went virtual because of COVID-19. A Virtual Kiltwalk in the spring of this year saw 11,500 Kiltwalkers raise £4.1 million, with an additional £2.05 million donated from the Hunter Foundation – a massive £6.15 million for 1,055 charities desperate for assistance in lockdown.

Kiltwalkers stepped out from Glasgow Green today knowing that Sir Tom Hunter is topping up the hard-earned donations by 50%, to support the many charities which have struggled to fundraise amid the pandemic.

Walkers had a choice of two distances: the 16.5-mile Mighty Stride, starting at Glasgow Green and ending at Dumbarton’s Meadow Park; or the 3.5 mile Wee Wander from Glasgow Green to the Riverside Museum. This year’s events were tailored to accommodate social distancing, with walkers setting off from 7am in a series of staggered starts.

Waving out the walkers from Glasgow Green from first light Sir Tom said: “We’re so happy to be here this morning in Glasgow Green to see folk with smiling faces. We’re back!

“When the pandemic hit, Kiltwalk faced uncertainty, like everyone else on the planet, but I listened to the Kiltwalk team saying we need to do something. The ability for charities to raise money went down but the need for charities went through the roof – it was the perfect storm.

“The money that is raised here will help people all over Scotland with a wee hand-up, not a hand-out. Over 1,300 Scottish charities this year will be helped by the Kiltwalk. It makes my heart sing.”

Three Hyundai cars, courtesy of Arnold Clark, will be won by three of the Kiltwalkers who took part.