Kiltwalk Invitation
Eric Liddell Centre CEO John MacMillan and his dog Blu invite people to help them raise Kiltwalk funds for those living with dementia
A growing band of enthusiastic volunteers across Edinburgh is coming together to raise funds to assist people living with dementia and support services for their carers.
John MacMillan, CEO of the Eric Liddell Centre and his dog Blu have invited anyone in the capital who wants to join their team to take part in Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk event, which takes place over the weekend of 23-25 April.
The volunteers are signing up to join staff and Board members from the leading care charity and community hub to be part of the Going for Gold Team Liddell.
The Kiltwalk is one of Scotland’s biggest fundraising events and last year a total of £8,540.01 was raised to assist the Centre, which is one of only three specialist dementia day care centres in Edinburgh.
Sir Tom Hunter generously matched the funds raised last year to a total of 17,080.02 and has offered to do the same this year. The Going for Gold Team Liddell is hoping to raise even more this year with the help of more volunteers to join them.
John MacMillan said: –
“#TeamLiddell did a brilliant job last year at the Virtual Kiltwalk, they raised over £17,000 with their wonderful efforts, which allowed us to make a huge difference in people’s lives.
“Our continuous support is vital for our vulnerable clients across Edinburgh who rely on us, especially during the past year since the pandemic hit us.
“Blu and I would like to invite anyone who would like to help to sign up for our team in this year’s virtual Kiltwalk. We will both be there again this year and look forward to completing the challenge.
“You can walk, run or even boogie your way to raise funds for the Eric Liddell Centre. We hope many ambitious individuals will join the team and together we can achieve our aim to raise more funds for the Centre than we did last year”.
Despite the difficulties the charity has faced in the last year due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has continued to provide alternative services for many vulnerable people.
Since lockdown began, the charity has been on the frontline delivering key services, which have included regular telephone contact with clients, The Centre’s team has also been busy providing a range of online health and wellbeing activities to keep the mind, body and soul active. They have also run two food initiatives, done shopping, collected prescriptions and other services to help clients.
However, with the Centre’s building closed since March 2020 due to COVID restrictions, the charity has faced a loss of £165,000 income.
John said:
“This is why this year’s Kiltwalk is more important than ever and we would be delighted to welcome anyone who would like to join our team
“For further information and to join the Going for Gold Team Liddell at the 2021 Kiltwalk, please email FundraisingGroup@ericliddell.org or call 07770 645219 or check out the Kiltwalk website https://www.thekiltwalk.co.uk/scotlandsvirtual for further details”.
