​Charity begins march to a new future with first event since departure of its chief executive

The first Kiltwalk of the year has been hailed a “huge success” after thousands of walkers trekked from Glasgow to Balloch.

Over 5,200 people completed the sponsored walk, raising funds for six children’s charities which have partnered with The Kiltwalk as well as a number of other charities nominated by walkers.

Chairman Michael Ure said Sunday’s event, the first of six this year, was “even more special” than previous years due to it following a turbulent time for the charity including the departure of chief executive Carey McEvoy, loss of charity partners and having to fight allegations of mismanagement.

“All the hard work is worth it when you see our intrepid walkers kilted, booted and ready to take on a hard day’s walking for the sake of Scotland’s children,” Ure said.

“After everything that’s happened in the last few months, this year’s Kiltwalks are even more special and I think the spirit, atmosphere and sense of togetherness of this year’s Glasgow Kiltwalk reminded everyone what makes Kiltwalks such incredibly important events in the third sector event calendar.”

After everything that’s happened in the last few months, this year’s Kiltwalks are even more special and I think the spirit, atmosphere and sense of togetherness of this year’s Glasgow Kiltwalk reminded everyone what makes Kiltwalks such incredibly important events in the third sector event calendar

The Full Walk (26 miles) left from The Kiltwalk’s spiritual home, Hampden Park Stadium, while the Half Walk (14 miles) started at Clydebank Play Drome. Both Walks finished in Balloch on the banks of Loch Lomond. The Our Wee Walk (six miles) started and finished in Balloch.

Walkers were raising funds for this year’s charity partners, or by walking as part of a team or five or more which nominated a children’s charity close to their hearts for a share of their own fundraising.

This year’s charity partners were Yorkhill Children’s Charity, A&M Scotland, Calum’s Cabin, SiMBA, the Daily Record and Sunday Mail Centenary Fund, CHAS and the STV Appeal.

Walker Angela Main, 40, from Lossiemouth was taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk to raise money for Logan’s Fund.

Logan’s Fund was set up to send her son, Logan, to the USA for treatment after he was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2008.

Sadly, Logan died just 10 months later in June 2009 aged just three and a half, never making America, but his family and friends continued Logan’s Fund to help other children with cancer and their families.

Angela said: “It’s been another fantastic Kiltwalk event and as always I am so grateful for the funds raised for Logan’s Fund.”

As well as walkers, for the first time The Kiltwalk had an army of trained volunteers to help prepare for the event and on the day itself.

Kiltie roles included lead zone kilties who cycled a section of route providing support and encouragement and venue kilties who looked after the start and finish points.

Foodbank collection points for Drumchapel Foodbank were also set up at Hampden Park Stadium, Clydebank Play Drome and the Balloch end site.

Oonagh Brown, foodbank development worker for Drumchapel Foodbank, said: “We were delighted to be invited to this year’s Glasgow Kiltwalk where the Walkers showed such tremendous generosity.

“The food stuffs collected will make a huge difference to the lives of the families we help.”

There are five other Kiltwalk events across Scotland throughout the summer, starting with the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on 3 May.

The Aberdeen Kiltwalk is on 7 June, the Perth Kiltwalk on 8 August, the Speyside Kiltwalk on 30 August and the Dundee Kiltwalk on 20 September.