The Simpsons pull on their tartan and step out for virtual Kiltwalk
Appin’s Simpson family are donning their tartan for this year’s virtual Kiltwalk.
The family are raising funds for Anam Cara Fasgadh and this Saturday will be getting up early to walk a marathon from their doorstep, ending up in Oban hopefully on the same day.
Any money raised will be topped up 50 per cent by the Sir Tom Hunter fund, says mum Susan, who co-founded Anam Cara Fasgadh in 2018 with the aim of creating a beautiful holiday caravan to offer free breaks to families bereaved through the death of a baby, child or young person.
Susan and husband Andrew – who grieve for two baby girls – and their other daughters Charis and Niamh hope to raise as much money as possible for the charity and are looking for sponsorship. They have set a target of £500.
Every pound raised will help the charity refurbish its respite caravan at Tralee Bay Holidays so they can soon be welcoming bereaved families to the beautiful spot.
‘Covid brought our fundraising pretty much to a stop last year. All our events, including a Ben Nevis challenge had to be cancelled,’ said Susan.
‘The virus also meant we couldn’t do the refurbishing work we needed to get done – the caravan needs decking.
‘It has been a tough time for all charities, not just us, but we’ll get through it and are looking forward to being able to welcome our first family to the caravan hopefully very soon,’ said Susan.
Co-founder Andrew, who is also the charity’s chairperson, said: ‘Had she lived Eilidh Beth would be 11 this year. We would have been supporting her through home learning in Primary 7, helping her get ready for high school after the summer. But instead I am having to commemorate her 11th year by taking part in the virtual Kiltwalk this Saturday and by climbing Ben Nevis in June. No parent should have to lose a child but here at Anam Cara Fasgadh we are determined to give bereaved families a tranquil break in a beautiful site. It’s the least we can do for families who will grieve their son or daughter for the rest of their lives.’
Charis, who is 16, said: ‘I never got to meet my sisters Alex and Eilidh Beth. If she had lived Alex would have been in second year at the High School now, a year ahead of Niamh. I would have loved to see who Alex and Eilidh Beth would have become, what they would have been good at in school, what their hobbies would have been. I can’t wait until we see the caravan at Tralee open – it will be a dream come true.’
And Niamh, 12, added: ‘This is the hardest challenge I’ve taken on in memory of my sisters. I loved doing our tent challenge last year and being able to raise funds for the charity was brilliant. I hope we can raise more money this year with the Kiltwalk.’
The family plan to leave their home at 8.30am this Saturday and, factoring in breaks, arrive at Dunbeg, having been to Ganavan then Oban, 10 hours later. Susan said: ‘We would be so delighted if anyone wanted to join us along the way, it will give us the boost we need to walk the distance.
‘They can contact me on 07771 358382 and we can give them an idea of where we are when they can join us. If anyone wants to join us we will get a t-shirt to them ahead of Saturday.
‘We want everyone to know that the caravan will be available to local bereaved families for a free break, as well as families from further afield. There’s not a day goes by where I don’t think of my daughters. I miss them even more now than I did when we first lost them. I know how important it is to take time away in beautiful surroundings.’
Donations can be made via virtual.thekiltwalk.co.uk/teams/ AnamCaraFasgadhArgyll