Hospice Heroes do it again for Kiltwalk 2023! By Elaine Thomson, Senior Fundraising Officer
It’s been another incredible year for the Ayrshire Hospice with tartan-clad walkers raising a phenomenal amount at Kiltwalk events across Scotland. Taking place in four cities hosting Kiltwalk 2023, there were Hospice Heroes representing the Ayrshire Hospice at each one! 155 Hospice Heroes took on the Mighty Stride, Big Stroll and Wee Wander in April at Glasgow’s Kiltwalk, walking from Glasgow Green to Balloch. In June, Alice McAllister was the solo representative taking on the Mighty Stride in Aberdeen, walking 18 miles from Duthie Park to Banchory. In August, for the Dundee Kiltwalk, four Hospice Heroes walked 20 miles from the iconic St Andrews Golf Course to finish at Slessor Gardens in Dundee. And lastly, with the biggest team yet for the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, 40 Hospice Heroes made their way through the streets of Edinburgh in September, along Portobello Beach before finishing at Murrayfield stadium. Everyone looked fantastic donning their tartan and wearing their purple t-shirts with pride. The Kiltwalk saw over 28,000 walkers across all four events, all supporting the cause of their choice. If you’re interested in joining the Hospice Heroes team for 2024, please get in touch at community@ayrshirehospice. org for more details.
Marathon Walk takes total to over £20,000 in aid of Estelle By Elaine Thomson, Senior Fundraising Officer
A group of colleagues from Savills estate agents took to the streets of London, clad in a sea of purple for the second time, to raise money for the Ayrshire Hospice in memory of their colleague and friend, Estelle Forrester. Walking 26.2 miles across the City of London, walking past iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge in
the glorious August sun, the team of over 40 walkers crossed the finish line with smiles and the odd blister or two! The Savills team shared why they took on this incredible challenge for the second time: “Sadly, in October 2017, Estelle was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer which then became terminal. She underwent several treatments and took part in clinical trials with an enormously positive attitude and outlook. Alongside her
treatment, she managed to raise over £20,000 for cancer research. The charity we will be raising money for is the Ayrshire Hospice who took such wonderful care of Estelle and her family during such a difficult time.”
The team raised an amazing £3,886.00 from this year’s
walk, which takes their fundraising efforts to an incredible £21,738.82.
Meeting with the community By Ron Swanson, Fundraising Manager
Over the past two months, the Ayrshire Hospice has enjoyed delivering talks and presentations throughout the community about hospice services, fundraising and the current redevelopment of our home at Racecourse Road, Ayr.
Visits to The Rotary Club of Ayr, Inner Wheel Club of Kilmarnock, Kingcase Church Guild, New Laigh Church Guild, and Fenwick WI across Ayrshire have all been warmly received, and attendees have been engaged to learn more about the Hospice and its operations in 2023. If you are part of a group that would like to hear more about the Hospice, please get in touch
with the team. Whether you’re a member of a Church Guild, Rotary Club, Women’s Institute, or another community group, the Hospice would be delighted to visit you and share its story. If you would be interested in arranging a visit from one of the Hospice team, please call Ron on 01292 288488 or email donate@ayrshirehospice.org
December 2023 | EDITION 35
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