Great Scottish Walk: Do it for a good cause

Residents are being encouraged to take part in this year’s Great Scottish Walk and Run Festival in aid of a loved one or a cause close to their heart.

Tilly (4), Freya (6) and Ellis Imire (11) and Eva Watters (7) are ready to walk. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The new “Do it for…” campaign, launched by the event’s organisers, encourages those signing up for the challenge to tell the world who they’re raising money for – whether it’s a relative suffering from poor health or a charity they feel passionately about.

And entrants are even being urged to snap a “selfie” of themselves holding a piece of paper or card with their chosen cause written across it, before sending it in to the event’s Facebook page to encourage friends and family to get involved, too.

This year’s festival falls on Father’s Day, with organisers suggesting some of those turning out could chose to “Do it for dad” by raising money for charities aimed at fathers – or even just using the event as a way of saying thank you to put-upon dads across the city and beyond.

Terry Crossley, who has organised the event since it launched in 1998, said the festival gave participants the chance to build “something positive” out of life’s struggles.

He said: “It would be great if everyone could share words of encouragement and support for those sharing their photos, especially to those who are missing their dad through bereavement, dementia or due to him being away on duty in the armed forces.

“I would like to think that something positive could come out of something negative in people’s lives on Father’s Day.”

The Great Scottish Walk and Run Festival is returning to the Capital after an absence of six years and boasts a brand new route and a raft of on-site entertainment.

The family-friendly event – backed by the Evening News – will kick off at 11am on June 21 at Holyrood Park, with walkers given the choice of taking part in either the 10k or 20k routes.

For those seeking to build up a faster pace, the Great Scottish Summer Run offers 5k and 10k challenges around Holyrood Park, while the more leisurely Golden Mile Walk offers one-, two- or three-mile routes designed for those unable to tackle the longer treks. Meanwhile, the Great Scottish Toddle will give children under six the chance to join the adults and raise money for charity – with goody bags and entertainment promising a fun day out for all.

Stalls to mark Armed Forces Day will also be on site to pay tribute to those who risk their lives fighting in conflicts.

Jeanette Crossley, 45, will be taking part in the Great Scottish Walk 10k for the SSPCA with her three children Tilly, four, Freya, six and Ellis, 11. The stay-at-home mum said she had chosen to raise money for the animal welfare charity after her positive experiences looking after rescue animals.

She said: “We have had two rescue dogs in the past, and we have a rescue cat just now. We’re interested in the animal rescue side of it. I think they do a fantastic job – and someone has to do it.”

• www.greatscottishevents.org.uk