Kelly’s ‘fit family’ getting ready for virtual Kiltwalk

A TEAM of 40 are getting their walking shoes on this weekend to raise some cash for children and young people across Tayside.

Kelly Kyle, a personal trainer from Tayport, will be taking on the Dundee Kiltwalk to raise funds for Help for Kids with a group of clients.

After the official event was cancelled, organisers have encouraged participants to complete a walk, or other challenge, by themselves. Those taking part are encouraged to don tartan and post pictures online.

On Kelly’s team, those giving it a go will be split into groups of three or individuals and will be walking six, 11, or 26 miles across the three days.

Kelly, who will be facing the challenge with her daughter and partner, is walking six miles on Friday, kayaking 15 miles down the River Tay on Saturday before walking 11 miles home and will walk another 26 miles on Sunday.

The group as a whole has already raised £2,500 for the cause and Kelly said they are “buzzing” to get the challenge under way.

She said: “As soon as I put up the word charity everybody was on board.

“Some people are walking 26 miles, some are walking 11. We really wanted to keep the Kiltwalk theme going. Any money that we can raise, if it goes to helping one or two families, it’s huge. We want people to talk about Help for Kids, that’s what we are all about.”

The group is made up of people of all ages, with one of the walkers in their 70s and another just six years old.

Throughout lockdown Kelly has been running fitness classes on Zoom. She has also created what she calls a “fit family” of clients and hopes to continue the classes once lockdown ends.

The group’s efforts have been welcomed by charity Help for Kids with co-ordinator Hannah Kemlo saying: “We are so thankful to Kelly and her team from KK Health & Fitness for supporting us at this year’s ‘Virtual Kiltwalk Dundee’.

“Through Kelly’s amazing efforts, 40 team members have signed up to the three-day event making this the biggest number of people to represent Help for Kids at any Kiltwalk event.

“Over these last few months it’s been extremely difficult as we have understandably been unable to hold any of our events, so to have the support from the team at KK Health & Fitness really does mean the world to us.”

She added: “The funding raised so far is phenomenal and will allow us help so many local children.

“We want to wish everyone the best of luck for the weekend and if anyone would still like to donate towards the team’s fantastic fundraising efforts you can do so up until this Sunday by visiting the Everydayhero UK website and searching for KK Health & Fitness.”

Each fundraiser will have their total amount of money raised topped up 50% by the Tom Hunter Foundation.

Some of the team members in their kilts ready to take the challenges that Kelly Kyle has planned. Kelly’s daughter Erin is in the foreground.