It the Kiltwalk now Scotland's favourite mass participation event?
Aberdeen’s Kiltwalk has broken a new record with over 3,000 walkers raising more than £800,000 for Scottish charities.
Sunday’s event saw 1,650 walkers gathered at 9am at Potarch Green in Banchory to take part in the 26-mile Mighty Stride, with an additional 830 taking part in the 15-mile Big Stroll, which set off from Crathes Castle at 11am.
Meanwhile, more than 700 others took on the five-mile Wee Wander. All walkers finished at the Kiltwalk village in Duthie Park in the city centre.
Every £1 raised by walkers receives a 40% boost from Sir Tom Hunter and the Hunter Foundation. It means they raised approximately £600,000 which with the 40% boost will total over £800,000 going to charities across Scotland.
Paul Cooney, Kiltwalk CEO said: “The people of Aberdeen, city and ‘shire, have truly embraced Kiltwalk and it’s reflected in the record-breaking numbers. The atmosphere created by our walkers, who are helping more than 300 charities, was very special and they didn’t let the threat of rain spoil their day, nor their fundraising.
“A huge thank you on behalf of Sir Tom and all of us at Kiltwalk to the real heroes of today, our army of 3,200 Kiltwalkers.”
Leading out the Mighty Stride was 25-year-old Ben Lobban, who lost his brother Sam in 2018. Raising funds for mental health charity, SAMH, Ben took on the Kiltwalk as a ‘thank you’ for the work the charity carries out to help people with mental health issues across the country.
Gail Sangster, from Stonehaven, was out in front to lead the walkers for the Big Stroll, along with her husband, Bruce and seven of her friends and family. Her son, Finlay, was born at 28 weeks and suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Since his birth, Gail, Bruce and their family have been fundraising for eponymous charity Finlay’s Fund, raising over £100,000.
Last year, Kiltwalk raised over £5million for charities across Scotland, including Prostate Cancer UK, STV Children’s Appeal, Calum’s Cabin and Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland).
