St Columba’s Hospice is calling on the community to put their walking shoes on, wear something blue and join in a special fundraising walk along the Water of Leith on Sunday, 8 May 2011. Miss Edinburgh, Fiona Dickie, officially launched the opening of registration for the walk with the help of some colourful blue characters.
The Water of Leith Walk will be the largest fundraising walk the charity has ever held, and walkers of all ages are invited to enter either the ‘Big Yin’ 12.25 mile walk from Balerno to Leith, or a shorter 5 mile ‘Wee Yin’ walk from Murrayfield to Leith.
Martin Lawlor, Campaign Fundraising Manager said:
“The Water of Leith Walk is without doubt one of the most beautiful routes in Edinburgh, so if you’ve always wanted to walk the whole 12.25 miles of it then this is your perfect chance, while supporting our goal to build a new home for St Columba’s Hospice at the same time. We’re also holding a ‘Wee Yin’ 5 mile walk, which is ideal for families and people of all ages.
“Our Water of Leith Walk promises to be a great day out for everyone, with a treasure hunt for kids and for a party for all participants at the end of the walk. We’re encouraging people to wear something blue – the official colour of St Columba’s Hospice – and we’ll be giving away a prize on the day to the best blue fancy dress. We’re very grateful that Registers of Scotland are helping us to organise the event and to the Miller Group for their kind sponsorship. We hope that lots of walkers will sign up and help us build a Hospice that will care for more than 40,000 people in Edinburgh and beyond.”
Sheenagh Adams, Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, said:
“I am delighted to be supporting St Columba’s, the RoS charity of the year, in this worthwhile cause. I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and join in the walk along the Water of Leith to help the Hospice raise funds towards building a new home”.
The Water of Leith Walk will help raise funds to build a new St Columba’s Hospice. St Columba’s Hospice needs to raise £6.2 million to build a state-of-the-art, purpose built facility, which will have more single patient rooms, space in single rooms for family members to stay overnight, and more modern and spacious facilities.
Starting times will be between 9.30am – 11am. All ages are welcome, and there will be a special treasure hunt organised for children and plenty of places to refuel along the route. Families and teams of up to six are welcome, as well as individual walkers.
To find out more or to register call Michael at St Columba’s Hospice on 0131 551 1381 or email mbauld@stcolumbashospice.org.uk The St Columba’s Hospice Water of Leith Walk is organised in association with Registers of Scotland and is kindly sponsored by the Miller Group.
