TFN rounds-up some of the inspiring causes that are set to benefit from this weekend's Virtual Kiltwalk

The Kiltwalk is undoubtedly one of the most important fundraising events of the year for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk takes place this weekend, and 10,000 Kiltwalkers have already raised more than £2 million for nearly 1,000 Scottish charities.

The £1.4 million that has already been raised by those taking part this weekend (23 – 25 April) has been given a 50% boost by The Hunter Foundation, ensuring that 980 charities, badly hit by the pandemic, will receive a much-needed share of the £2.1 million cash pot by the first week in May.

This week, TFN is looking for stories from organisations who will benefit from the event. You can find just some of these inspiring stories below. If you would like to add yours to the feature, email gareth.jones@scvo.scot

Thistle Foundation

A Borders man who underwent heart surgery just three years ago is planning to run non stop for at least 36 hours - the equivalent of running from Peebles to Aberdeen - to raise vital funds to support others with long term conditions.

Keen runner Ross Grieve, 53, was diagnosed with a cardiac problem in 2017 after struggling to scale hills around his hometown of Peebles and corrective surgery was carried out in early 2018, just before the dad-of-two’s 50th birthday.

Now the charity worker is raising funds for Thistle - where he supports others with long term conditions - to manage their own health and wellbeing, by undertaking Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk this weekend.

Ross aims to run a four mile loop in Glentress Forest near Peebles car park from 3pm on Friday 23 April until at least Sunday morning, an approximate distance of 140 miles.

While he will have wife Jackie and children Katie and Luke on hand to support him on his KiltRun, along with Thistle colleagues, Ross hopes other runners and cyclists in the area will join him for part of his challenge. He will leaving on the hour every hour starting from Buzzard’s Nest car park and will be easy to track via the Thistle stall at Glentress and regular social media updates. All funds raised for Thistle by his fundraising will be topped up by 50% by Sir Tom Hunter and the Hunter Foundation.

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland

Gordon Reid, 34, is a Scotland rugby player who is doing the Virtual Kiltwalk in in memory of his late father, also Gordon.

The former Glasgow Warriors and Northampton prop has set himself the challenge to walk 500 miles in April, including the virtual Kiltwalk, and raise thousands for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

Gordon, 34, has thrown himself into his charity challenge with the same gusto that he shows on the rugby pitch. As well as walking 500 miles, he’s also gathering sports memorabilia from pals in the sporting world for a charity auction later in the year. And he’s even got plans for an attempt at a Guinness World Record.

The prompt for this positive action was the sudden loss of his father, to a heart attack at the age of 65 last year.

Gordon said: “The heart attack came completely out of the blue. Dad had been totally fine before it. But his own father had died unexpectedly in his 50s of a heart attack, as did my mum Pat’s father. So dad had been a bit paranoid that something like this would happen to him.

“We were all stunned and are really still getting over the loss.

“I wanted to do something positive in his name. My wife Marissa and I did some research, and we thought Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland was a great fit with what we are trying to achieve.

“The charity not only helps people with the physical effects of a heart attack or stroke but also with the mental health issues that can affect those who survive the condition and those who are grieving the loss of someone they love.

“They’ve tapped into something that matters so much to me. Everything they stand for and do is something I want to support.”

You can support Gordon in his Virtual Kiltwalk challenge by donating to his fundraising page.

The Glad Foundation

Staff and supporters of the Glad Cafe in Shawlands are joining forces to Kiltwalk their way around Glasgow’s iconic music venues to raise £10,000 for its sister charity, The Glad Foundation. 

The Glad Foundation was set up to provide free and affordable music lessons for young people living in the southside of Glasgow.

Funds raised will provide: 

• music classes for young people with additional support needs;
• young people from marginalised communities;
• young people who might otherwise not be able to afford music lessons

Team Glad will walk a 20-mile route connecting Glasgow’s music and arts venues that have been forced to close because of lockdown.

Supporters will be able to follow Team Glad’s progress on social media throughout their challenge via the hashtag #GOTEAMGLAD

You can help Team Glad hit their £10,000 target by donating online.