A daring 88-year-old great-grandmother will take on a 10 kilometre walk in aid of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF), after her great-granddaughter received treatment at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) in Edinburgh for a potentially life-threatening condition.
The matriarch of three generations of SKFF supporters, Margo McDowell of Trinity, Edinburgh will be one of the oldest participants to take part in the Edinburgh Wee Walk on Sunday 11th May.
As part of the national Kiltwalk campaign, the Wee Walk is a unique Scottish event that brings together some of the nation’s best-loved childrens’ charities to help youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds or who suffer from life-threatening illnesses to get the care and attention they deserve.
Margo will walk alongside other fundraisers who have joined the Edinburgh Sick Kids Clan to walk the course on behalf of the SKFF.
Inspirational Margo was motivated to take on the trek around the capital after her one-year-old great-granddaughter Emily Bremner was treated for Cellulitis at the RHSC in Edinburgh.
Now fully recovered, young Emily was hospitalised for three weeks when the bacterial condition which developed under her skin, quickly spreading into her blood stream and into her bones.
Margo said: “Emily is the latest member of my large family to be looked after at the RHSC in Edinburgh so I’m delighted to help the Foundation continue its good work.
“With the help of my sheltered housing warden and family members, I’m aiming to complete as much of the six mile Kiltwalk course as I can manage.
“I’m extremely proud to take part in the event and want to do what I can to raise money for a hospital that cares for so many sick children in the heart of Edinburgh. I hope my efforts might inspire others to join me in walking for the Sick Kids.”
Margo’s generous supporters, including granddaughter Elizabeth who volunteers as a fundraising ambassador for the Foundation, have already helped to smash her £500 fundraising target.
Maureen Harrison, chief executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “The Kiltwalk is one the most unique and successful fundraising events in our calendar and it allows the entire family to raise money for a host of worthy charities.
“Margo is a wonderful example of an inspirational fundraiser proving that people of all ages and from all walks of life can join a clan of Sick Kids supporters to help raise much-needed funds for different causes.
“The funds raised help us provide extra comforts for families of children receiving treatment at the hospital including facilities like our family Drop In Centre which provides vital information and advice to parents.”
Entries to the 2014 Edinburgh Kiltwalk event are open now and you can join the Edinburgh Sick Kids Clan or enter your own Sick Kids Team. To date over 150 courageous people are walking in support of Sick Kids. More information can be found at www.edinburghsickkids.org/events.
Participants can take part in the Wee Walk (10k), Half Kilt (13 mile) or Full Kiltwalk (26 mile) event with the option to also enter as a team of five – SKFF can be nominated to receive 50 per cent of your sponsorship.
To sponsor Margo on her Wee Walk visit www.justgiving.com/moira-williams1.
The proceeds from The Kiltwalk – Edinburgh 2014 will be shared between:
– Sick Kids Foundation
– Aberlour Child Care Trust
– Cash for Kids
– Children 1st
– CHAS
– CLIC Sargent
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
