N-ice work from trek’s sponsors
Saints trio thank firms for vital funds
The team behind a gruelling three-day charity trek of the Arctic Circle are today thanking local business leaders for sponsoring their efforts.
Kate Cooper, Ryan Laurie and Gayle Brannigan trekked 65 kilometres of the Arctic Circle in a bid to raise much needed funds for St Mirren Charitable Foundation.
The organisation – headed up by Gayle – hosts a catalogue of support services that bolsters the physical and mental wellbeing of Renfrewshire residents of all ages.
The trek was, however, hoping to raise funds for particular initiatives such as the Fit and Fed programme – which offers food and physical activities to children every day of the school holidays – and Football Memories, which supports people living with dementia.
Clarity Accounting and Lochlie Construction Group both provided vital support to get the fundraiser off the ground, meaning even more of the money raised will go directly to the foundation and its lifeline work.
Founded by Paisley businessman Donald Gilmour and wife Katie, Clarity Accounting was established last year with the aim of creating as much community benefit as possible.
Katie said: “We do a lot of charitable giving and the foundation in particular is very close to our hearts.
“Donald grew up in Foxbar in the 70s and 80s and his family would have been one of those that the foundation would have helped had it been around in those days.
“The fact that the foundation does so much, from toddlers right up to pension age, is really appealing for us.”
Douglas Aitken, managing director of Lochlie Construction Group in Hillington, was also inspired by the foundation’s work with disadvantaged children.
He told the Express: “I am hugely impressed with what the foundation achieves and when you see what it does for local people, giving them a few quid was the easy part.
“The trek sounded hugely challenging – and not something I would ever think to do. They really do deserve the support.”
He added: “A full stomach and a warm home shouldn’t be a luxury in this day and age but, heartbreakingly, for many children it is, so knowing the money is going to support the Fit and Fed programme is really important.”
Gayle, chief executive of St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, said she couldn’t thank the businesses enough for their kindness.
She said: “Our team could not have taken part in the trek without the support of our sponsors.
“Katie and Donald Gilmour of Clarity Accounting were generous enough to cover the full £2,400 to cover my entire trek fee and then our good friend Douglas Lochlie of Lochlie Construction covered the £500 shortfall on Kate’s place so that we were both able to go as tent Buddies.
“Thanks to them we have not only raised much-needed funds for two of our community programmes but we also now have these incredible memories for life. It’s been amazing.”
The online fundraiser for St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation remains open and is available at www.justgiving.com/ campaign/arctic-circle-trek
Our team couldn’t have taken part in the trek without the support of our sponsors