East Lothian woman to complete three-day Kiltwalk challenge to help keep children safe from abuse

An East Lothian woman will take on the challenge to walk 13 miles, play tennis for nine hours, and walk her dog for six miles this weekend to raise money to help protect children from harm.

Linda Hamilton, from Port Seton, has worked as a community fundraising manager for NSPCC Scotland for four years and will take on the three-day challenge between Friday April 16 and Sunday April 18 as part of this year’s virtual Kiltwalk

Any money which she raises will be topped up by 50 per cent by the Hunter Foundation, organisers of the annual event.

The original target was set at £750 which has now been surpassed, with the money going towards helping children who’ve been abused to rebuild their lives, protecting children at risk, and finding the best ways of preventing child abuse from ever happening.

Linda Hamilton, Community Fundraising Manager, NSPCC Scotland

Linda said: “This last year has been tough for all of us, and children have been the hidden victims of the pandemic. With schools closed for lots of the last year, children have been cut off from their friends and support networks, with many young people feeling alone and isolated, and some, sadly, having to deal with bereavement.”

The NSPCC supports children and young people around the country by providing its Childline service, which children can contact to speak to a trained counsellor about anything they are worried about.

The charity also has a service centre in Govan, Glasgow, which provides community outreach and therapeutic services to local families, helping them to provide the best support to their children.

Linda added: “It has also been a challenging year for fundraising, as most events were postponed, cancelled or held virtually. But that’s not stopped our amazing supporters from coming up with innovative ways of raising funds.

“After last year’s Kiltwalk was cancelled, one of our Childline volunteers, Siobhain, took it upon herself to walk a full marathon in her back garden, taking her more than eight hours, raising £1,000.

“We’ve also had people host virtual quizzes and bingo games, as well as ‘celebrate and donate’ in which supporters have simply set up a Just Giving page and asked their friends and family to make a donation instead of buying them a gift for their birthday or other celebration.

“I signed up for my three-day Kiltwalk challenge because I know how important the work of the NSPCC is, and the real difference it can make in children and young people’s lives.”

Linda will complete the challenge around Port Seton, and the ‘tennisathon’ will take place at her local club of eight years, Longniddry Tennis Club.

Speaking about wider fundraising for the charity, she added: “We can only continue to be there to support children and young people with the help of the general public, and if anyone would like to fundraise for the NSPCC, please do get in touch with me at [email protected]”

To sponsor Linda in her challenge, please visit her virtual Kiltwalk page.

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free on 0808 800 5000. Children can call Childline at any time on 0800 1111.

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