Sean gets scout and about to raise funds
Boy walks 20km in aid of Lapwing Lodge
A determined youngster has raised almost £1,200 to help save a much-loved Paisley scouting venue by taking on a tough charity trek through the town.
Eight-year-old Sean Donachie laced up his walking boots at the weekend to take part in the virtual Kiltwalk with proud dad Sean to help boost funds for Lapwing Lodge, which is under threat of closure.
Young Sean - who is a Beaver in the 30th St Peter’s Scouts - wanted to help raise money for the venue to ensure he and other young Scouts could enjoy the outdoor activity centre in Gleniffer Road for years to come.
The facility sits at the top of Gleniffer Braes and has been used by tens of thousands of Scouts as well as community groups and businesses for decades.
It boasts indoor accommodation and as well as outdoor facilities such as high ropes, climbing walls and water activities on Caplaw Dam.
But due to the covid pandemic, Lapwing is now under threat as it suffered a huge drop in income.
Sean and his dad donned their kilts to complete two 10km walks in the sunshine over the weekend, with the youngster taking it all in his stride to raise an impressive £760.
The Hunter Foundation matched 50 per cent of Sean’s fundraising, taking the total to £1,140
Proud dad Sean, from Foxbar said : “He was brilliant. He did lots of practice walks in the lead up to it as we wanted him to be prepared so he has been walking about 15 to 20km in a week for the past seven or eight weeks.
“We are all so proud of him as he did fantastically. After the first 10km of Saturday he went straight out to play when we got home!
“The second 10km was more of a slog for him but he was absolutely fine and still did it.
“He is really proud of himself and is delighted with how much money he raised.
“He had been to Lapwing Lodge once and loved it and wanted to help make sure it can stay open for him and other Scouts in the future.”
The determined schoolboy was spurred along on his walk by friends and neighbours who cheered him on and he pounded the streets on Paisley on his walk.
He was even treated to a nice surprise from mum Lisa and younger brother Oliver, five, who were waiting for him and dad Sean on the street with friends and neighbours.
Sean added: “He didn’t know they were all waiting for him with balloons on the street when we finished our last walk so that was a nice surprise for him.
“People were clapping and cheering him on along the way so that really helped keep him motivated.”
Sean loved the surprise at the end of the day, but the highlight for him was the sweet treat waiting for him at the finish line.
He said: “It was really nice as I got to see all my friends when I finished and it was really good because I got to have some cake!”
He is really proud of himself and is delighted with how much money he has raised for Lapwing