Ayrshire groups praise Kiltwalk efforts

STROLLING: Ayrshire walkers embarked from Glasgow Green or Clydebank on the weekend Kiltwalk (Image: Ayrshire Cancer Support)

Groups around Ayrshire have praised each others’ efforts for the amount of money raised as a result of last weekends Kiltwalk in Glasgow.

The event, where 20,000 strollers embarked on the route from Clydebank or Glasgow Green to Balloch, saw over £4 million raised for thousands for charities in Scotland.

With some of the nation biggest charities such as Beatson Cancer Charity and Glasgow Children’s Hospital registering over 1,000 walkers, “good-hearted heroes” from the smaller organisations in the region set out to match last years total.

The likes of Ayrshire Hospice and The Killie Community, among many others, participated in the walk which stretched from 14 miles (Saturday) to 23 miles (Sunday).

Ayrshire Cancer Support took to social media thanking the support for their weekend efforts and raising vital funds, believing they were “still on cloud nine”.

A spokesperson from Ayrshire Hospice said: “To every single one of our incredible Hospice Heroes – thank you. From early starts to finish lines, countless miles, tired legs and a few blisters along the way, you’ve shown what community and determination truly looks like.

“We’ve loved cheering you on, sharing your journeys. and seeing so many familiar faces alongside those joining us for the very first time – it means the world.”

Kilmarnock-based Loudoun Musical Society also took on Sunday’s walk fashioning past production T-shirts, to raise funds, £30,000 in the last 10 years, for causes that continue to “do good through Ayrshire and beyond”.

The Kiltwalk was first founded by philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter and his foundation back in 2016 with the goal of enabling people to in the nation to “put their best feet forward” for charities.

Its opening year, leaving from Hampden Park, was supported by celebrities such as Kevin Bridges and Judy Murray and has raised £58 million throughout its 10 year operation.