Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
More people signing up to take part in Kiltwalk
MORE than 1,300 people have already signed up for the Dundee Kiltwalk – 30% more than at the same time last year.
It could mean Dundee’s event breaches the 2,000 participants mark for the first time when it takes place on August 19.
About 1,800 people converged on Tayside for the fundraiser last year to raise a whopping £250,000 for charities by walking one of three routes ranging from six to 25 miles.
This year, the three routes will return again, with folk setting off from St Andrews, Tayport or the HMS Unicorn.
Those who embark on the 25-mile Lots of tartan was on show last year. Mighty Stride will take in sights such as Tentsmuir National Reserve before coming into Dundee from the Tay Road Bridge, passing Broughty Castle.
The finish line for all three trails will be at a special Kiltwalk campus at the Blue Seaway Playground in Monifieth, with a party awaiting all those who make it to the end.
A Kiltwalk spokeswoman said: “We are currently sitting at 1,300 walkers for Dundee, and that means we are 30% up on last year.
“Great news of course – but we are still wanting plenty more walkers to sign up and get raising much needed funds for local charities in Dundee and surrounding areas.”
The Kiltwalk was established to be a profoundly Scottish fundraising event, with walkers putting on their finest tartans and trekking to raise money for good causes.
Organisers pride themselves on their “100% model”, which means that every penny collected will be donated to the charity, with administration costs covered solely by participants’ entry fees.
The Kiltwalk’s fundraising is underwritten by The Hunter Foundation, set up by entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, which provides a 40% boost to every penny raised for charities up to a limit of £5,000 – meaning thousands of pounds of extra funding.
This year’s series of Kiltwalks is already shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.
Scots movie star Gerard Butler gave his backing to the event earlier this year, calling on people to get involved.
More than 10,000 walkers took part in 2018’s first Kiltwalk, held i n Glasgow, while 1,800 took part in the Aberdeen walk earlier this month.
Fundraising totals are still to be tallied up for the Kiltwalks that have already taken place this year – but, in all, events held last year raised more than £2.3 million for charity.
There’s still plenty of time to sign up – visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk/ events/dundee2018 to get yourself involved.