Mid Argyll kiltwalkers raise several thousand

A couple and two sisters took part in the Mighty Stride for two charities close to their hearts

Among the 14,100 people taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk on Sunday were two parties from Mid Argyll.

Husband and wife team Brian and Karen McCurry raised £7,748 for the MS Centre in Lochgilphead.

And sisters Lucy Marquis and Sarah Peacock raised £1,260 for Tommy’s, the baby charity which funds research and supports women who have suffered miscarriages.

The Mighty Stride took the keen walkers along the 22.6 miles from Glasgow Green to Balloch.

The Advertiser caught up with Karen and Lucy as they recovered from the big event this week. Both were feeling physically fantastic, and also very grateful for the generous donations made to their respective JustGiving pages.

Karen joked: “I had to post a picture online on Monday morning to show people I wasn’t broken.

“I think the training, pounding the Crinan Canal banks, must have really paid off. It seems to have helped us recover quickly.”

Meanwhile Lucy quipped: “I have two beagles, so I’m used to walking for miles.”

Brian and Karen McCurry at the Glasgow Kiltwalk.

After suffering the trauma of miscarriage four times, Lucy wanted to raise awareness of the subject and funds for the charity close to her heart.

Her sister Sarah, who also suffered from a miscarriage, joined her in her efforts.

Lucy said: “It was really good. A lot of people are still not talkative about it; I think it is just one of those subjects that people are scared to bring up.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who sponsored me. I think putting it in the paper really helped.”

Karen praised the many people who have donated to

Sarah Peacock and her sister Lucy Marquis after completing the Glasgow Kiltwalk.

charity during a cost of living crisis.

She said: “The support we have received has absolutely blown us away. It is incredible. Between the Kiltwalk and Scott McMillan’s London

Marathon run, we’ve raised over £14,500.

“We are in a cost of living crisis and people are still supporting the charities.”

Many of the MS Centre’s service users have been carrying out their own challenges in support of Karen and Scott’s efforts.

The Super Snowdrops older people’s exercise group raised more than £500 in the 10 weeks running up to the marathon. A service user on Islay raised money learning to swim.

Councillor Jan Brown, newly elected deputy provost, will complete 26 walks in the Kingdom of Dalriada this summer. Watch this space for updates.

This has all been in the wake of the MS Centre asking the community to get behind a year of fundraising.

The centre provides a vast range of services for people with life altering conditions, as well as multiple sclerosis.