The Walk benefits can go far
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A TRIO of Moray-based children's cancer charities have taken a "stronger together" approach to organise The Walk on Speyside this September.
Logan’s Fund and the Aila Coull Foundation has welcomed on board Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation as the third charity partner for their sponsored walk on Sunday, September 8, which will include a new route this year.
The Walk participants can choose to cover 16, six or 2.5 miles – with each route designed to make the most of Speyside's beauty.
Cameron Mackintosh, Logan's Fund chairman, said: "We have changed the main route this year, mainly to keep it fresh and interesting for those who come and support the event each year. This also gives us a chance to show off other parts of this beautiful part of the world.
"The new main walk route holds a distance of 16 miles. This is the third different route we have now used for the main walk – and we think it could be the most stunning yet."
The 16-mile walk will start and finish in Aberlour, following the Gownie Circular to Dufftown, then veering off to Dufftown Golf Club before taking back roads to the village again and onto Craigellachie and Aberlour.
The six-mile walk will start in Dufftown and finish at Aberlour and is suitable for all ages who can walk that distance.
The 2.5-mile family walk will start in Craigellachie and meander along the Spey to Aberlour. Walkers will be piped off the iconic Thomas Telford Craigellachie Bridge.
Cameron said: "This year’s route takes in some really special views, passes lots of points of interest and has loads of 'wow' moments for the walkers, as well as taking in more distilleries than probably any other sponsored walk in the world. It’s got it all – castles, distilleries both old and new, the River Spey, the historic railway and, of course, Highland coos."
Entry costs £6, £3 and £1 for the three walks respectively and admission fees have been waived for all entrants age 12 and under.
For the 16-mile main walk participants can choose their own charity, community cause, club or initiative to walk for. Some 50% of the proceeds will go to walkers' nominated cause and the other 50% will be split between the three organising charities.
There is no requirement to fundraise for the middle walk or the family walk – people are welcome to simply be part of the event. However, should participants wish, they can nominate their own chosen cause to receive 100% of funds raised or nominate the organising charities to be beneficiaries. This offers local groups such as Cubs and Brownies, playgroups, cadets and the like the opportunity to boost their own coffers.
Last year’s event raised more than £16,500 which was shared between the three organising charities and 13 other causes.
The event is assisted by Team Chivas Charity Support. The Walk 2019 will be particularly poignant for Team Chivas as its founder member, Allan Steward BEM, passed away in June after a three-year battle with cancer. Allan signalled the start of The Walk last year as it set off from Strathisla Distillery, home of Chivas.
People can register for The Walk at thewalkspeyside.co.uk and follow progress on Facebook at @TheWalkSpeyside.
