Seven-year-old Aine McDermott will lead this year's Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Inspirational seven-year-old Aine McDermott will lead out walkers at this Sunday’s The Kiltwalk event in Edinburgh.

Aine, who has a rare condition which affects her central nervous system and causes her to stop breathing when asleep, will have raised £52,000, along with her family and friend for the Edinburgh Sick Kids Friends Foundation by the time they have finished this year's walk.

The group, known as Team Aine, have taken part in the Edinburgh event, which is the Kiltwalk's flagship walk, since it started three years ago.

Aine's mum Leah Forbes told TFN: “Aine is so excited. In fact, it has given the whole family a huge boost.

"There will be 43 people walking as part of Team Aine on Sunday and there are some people I haven’t even met so it will be brilliant to all be together at the start.

Aine is so excited. In fact, it has given the whole family a huge boost. It is a real honour.

“It is especially special to us as, being from Penicuik, we always feel the Edinburgh walk is our home walk.

“It is a real honour.”

Sunday's walk starts at the north tunnel of BT Murrayfield Stadium at 9am.

Also at the start line will be radio presenter Suzie McGuire, Donald Wilson the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and Preston Lodge High School pipe band.

The Kiltwalk’s chairman Michael Ure said: “It was wonderful to get The Kiltwalk season underway with an amazingly successful event in Glasgow a few weeks ago, but we are now delighted to be in our country’s incredible capital city this weekend for what will undoubtedly be a day to remember.”

The majority of kilt-clad walkers will be doing the full 26-mile walk through the city’s streets, with others taking part in the 13-mile half walk and six-mile wee walk for those under the age of six.

The charity partners for the 2015 Edinburgh Kiltwalk are Children 1st, Capability Scotland, It’s Good 2 Give, Barnardo’s, the Daily Record and Sunday Mail Centenary Fund and the STV Appeal.