Glasgow Kiltwalkers have raised £12,103 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, with the money going directly to local SSAFA branches, including Glasgow and Dunbartonshire, to help them continue to provide practical, emotional and financial support to the Armed Forces community in need…
The Kiltwalk events are run in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh and participants can choose from a 26, 15 or 5 mile walk to raise money for their local SSAFA branch. From the money raised, the Hunter Foundation will add an extra 40% to help SSAFA branches provide more support to veterans and their families in their time of need.
Many Glasgow locals took part in the fundraiser to raise funds for SSAFA, including a group of five ex-Scottish Division officers who raised £5,000 of the overall £12,000 raised. John Williamson, one of the ex-Scottish Division officers, said:
“We are very pleased to have reached our £5,000 target. We are all friends and had worked together in the army – we saw this as a great way to catch up, have fun and do something positive. SSAFA volunteers are truly heroes. They are the unseen swan’s legs working under the water that allows so many military charities to glide gracefully forward. They are brilliant and they deserve our support”.
Alison Sturgeon, a SSAFA beneficiary, also took part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk. Alison’s son, Jack, suffers with autism and a learning disorder. After leaving school, Jack’s needs became more complex and he struggled to cope with the change, at one point he had to be hospitalised. SSAFA Dunbartonshire were able to secure £18,000 of funding for an extension to Alison’s home that enabled Jack to have his own space where he could relax.
Alison said: “We are indebted to SSAFA for all their patience and generosity in finally giving Jack the adapted space that he needed, and it has had a hugely positive effect on all our lives. We would have had to give up if they hadn’t stuck with us. I wanted to raise awareness and funds for SSAFA to thank them properly for the amazing work that they have done”.