Ben there, done that
Duo ace Nevis Kiltwalk challenge
Hitting the heights has become something of a theme for St Mirren in recent times.
Jim Goodwin’s team is heading for Hampden for the Scottish Cup semi-final and now the club’s charity wing has also stepped-up in a Ben Nevis Kiltwalk challenge.
Gayle Brannigan, chief executive of the St Mirren Charitable Foundation, and Michael Campbell, its community development officer, took on Scotland’s highest mountain to raise vital funds for the organisation.
The determined duo scaled the 1,345- metre mountain on Saturday as part of this year’s Virtual Kiltwalk.
Team Saints Come Marching In includes scores of Buddies - including gaffer Goody, who walked 1,877 steps in the SMISA Arena - has raised just shy of £2,000.
The money will go towards summer camps for children in the Renfrewshire area.
Michael told the Paisley Daily Express that the mammoth walk was hard going, but more than worth it in the end.
“It was really good. We left at around 7.30am and were up at the top quite quickly,” he said.
“Gayle came up with idea and I thought, ‘ Yeah, I’ll do that as well’.
“We went up together and chatted the whole way. I had done it when I was 15 but I loved doing it again.
“The weather was beautiful. If it was like that all the time I would definitely do it more often.”
The foundation runs a range of employability, fitness, mental health and inclusion programmes.
Michael added: “We just want to thank everyone for taking part over the weekend and raising money for the foundation.
“All the money collected will go towards supporting the work of the foundation.”
Ali Defoy, St Mirren’s new head of brand management and sales, also walked 20 miles at Troon beach over the weekend to raise cash for the charity.
Sir Tom Hunter will add 50 per cent of all money raised to the final total.
You can still donate at https://virtual.thekiltwalk.co.uk/teams/ScotlandsVirtualKiltwalk2021-SAINTSCOMEMARCHINGIN
The weather was beautiful. If it was like that all the time I would definitely do it more often