Article Source: Kiltwalk
Last Updated: 28 April 2024 18:00
Image Credit: Elaine Livingstone Photography
More than 14,100 kind-hearted Kiltwalk heroes were on the streets of the country’s biggest city to raise much needed funds for 900 Scottish charities.
While fundraising remains open for another two weeks, it was revealed today that the Glasgow Kiltwalk has already secured at least £2.5m in donations.
Sir Tom Hunter, Judy Murray and STV’s Laura Boyd and Phillip Petrie were at the start at Glasgow Green to wave off 7,500 Mighty Striders who walked the 22.6 miles to scenic Moss O’Balloch Park at Loch Lomond.
Another 4,000 heroes trekked the 14 miles from Three Queens Square Clydebank to Balloch and 2,600 Kiltwalkers took on the 3-mile scenic Wee Wander from Loch Lomond Shores to the Kiltwalk Village at Moss O’Balloch Park.
The Hunter Foundation, which underwrites the Kiltwalk, surprised 10 charities during the day with “the happiest minute at Kiltwalk”. Each charity received £5,000 to help in these difficult economic times.
Sir Tom Hunter said: “Kiltwalk is quite simply the easiest way to raise money for a charity that you care about. Today, in Glasgow, we will raise more than £2.5m for 900 different Scottish charities. We have more than 14,000 people taking part, because it’s easy to do, and offers incredible value for money – you pay a small amount to walk and everything you raise goes to the charity of your choice.
“It is staggering. Since The Hunter Foundation got involved over eight years ago, more than 166,000 Kiltwalkers have helped to raise more than £46m for 3,500 different Scottish charities. Everyone who takes part has a story and every community in Scotland has a deserving cause.”
Along the way, there were six pit stops offering delicious snacks from Kiltwalk’s Official Supermarket partner Lidl and encouragement from a range of charities including Beatson Cancer Charity, SAMH, CHAS, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Calum’s Cabin and Action for Children.
Maisie McCormick, community fundraising manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “What an amazing day at the Glasgow Kiltwalk!
“The Kiltwalk is always a special event, but this year we had our highest ever number of participants, with over 800 people taking on this incredible challenge as part of Team Beatson.
“We loved cheering everyone on from Pit Stop 1 at the Riverside Museum and giving them a chance to take a break and grab a snack.
“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the event for our charity – your support will allow us to continue and develop new services for cancer patients and their families.”
All Glasgow Kiltwalkers who registered and fundraised are in with a chance of winning a car worth £30,000 thanks to headline sponsor, Arnold Clark.
Eddie Hawthorne, CEO at Arnold Clark, said: “At Arnold Clark, we’re passionate about giving back to Scotland’s communities and embracing opportunities to help.
“That’s why we are out in force today at Glasgow Kiltwalk, rallying the walkers and helping them enjoy their day - including the many Arnold Clark employees who are taking part. We are also especially excited that one lucky Kiltwalker will win £30,000 to spend at Arnold Clark on their dream car. Good luck everyone!”
Thanks to support from fellow headline sponsor Royal Bank of Scotland, all finish line meals were served in compostable pots and all rubbish from the day was fully recycled and reused with nothing going to landfill.
Judith Cruickshank, Chair, Royal Bank of Scotland’s One Bank Scotland Board, said: “The Glasgow Kiltwalk is one of the great social and fundraising highlights for the city and once again Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to partner this fantastic event.
“It is no surprise that it is a sell-out and many of our colleagues joined the thousands of walkers taking part from across the country, each with their own goals and ambition for getting involved.
“As well as partnering the event, many of our colleagues are volunteering, working with organisations like the Binn Group, helping to make this a safe and sustainable event.
“Kiltwalk makes such a positive difference to communities across Scotland and everyone taking part should be proud of the impact their involvement will have.”
The famous Kiltwalk Village entertainment was provided by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Gold sponsor Johnston Carmichael’s “Akiltant” stilt-walkers strode out to add to the fun.
Aberdeen Kiltwalk is on 2 June, St Andrews to Dundee on 11 August, and Edinburgh on 15 September.
It’s just £20 for walkers taking on the Mighty Stride and Big Stroll. Adults doing the Wee Wander will pay £12.50 and children £6.50. Kiltwalkers can raise money for any charity they choose, with funding going directly to their chosen cause, plus Gift Aid. This means that charities will receive up to 125% of all funds raised at Kiltwalk.
To sign up for Aberdeen, Dundee or Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2024 visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk
This season is their biggest and most ambitious to date and includes an incredible mix of productions in venues across Scotland.
READ MOREThe UK's biggest and oldest home and garden exhibition is back in Scotland for the 75th time and we're delighted to offer free tickets to our followers!
READ MOREHaving been postponed in April due to high winds, Loch Lomond Shores are delighted to welcome the delayed festival back on the 18th and 19th May!
READ MOREDobbies has revealed the community and charity groups across the UK that will receive support to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces this year.
READ MOREIRN-BRU is helping to build hype for the national side ahead of the Euros by turning some of Scotland's most hopeful fans into stars.
READ MOREThe Health Lottery is excited to announce the launch of its newest venture, the 'Paying it Forward' podcast, hosted by renowned radio and TV presenter, Danni Menzies.
READ MORELocal gym instructor Dylan Rush is flying out to compete at the European Karate Championship in Croatia this week.
READ MORETop Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.
READ MOREBritain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.
READ MOREEuropean Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MOREDementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MOREIt's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MOREGlasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MOREA spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre's forthcoming season features several sell-out shows and a host of well-known names, following the success of its 50th anniversary last year.
READ MORENational Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure has launched a brand new dedicated functional training space at Barrhead Foundry, to enhance the current fitness offering for the community.
READ MOREIn the heart of East Renfrewshire, nestled amidst the vibrant community, a special event is set to unfold.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Council has announced a programme of works to further improve the facilities in Barrhead's Cowan Park.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"