Johnston Carmichael goes the distance for charity

A team of 22 from Johnston Carmichael in Glasgow, made up of JC staff and friends took part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk on Sunday, starting off from Glasgow Green and ending up 23 miles later at Moss O’ Balloch Park.

Among the group – dubbed the ‘Chartered Akiltants’ - were Jillian Stewart (25), a business solutions assistant from the Glasgow office, Michelle Campbell (25), audit supervisor from Edinburgh and Gemma Spiers, Johnston Carmichael’s marketing director, who now have just enough time to catch their breath before they pull on their boots again as they’ve pledged to take on the additional challenge of the Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh Kiltwalks as well. Each will cover a combined distance of 100 miles.

Johnston Carmichael has 11 offices across Scotland. It’s a gold sponsor of the Kiltwalk and teams from across the firm have been in training for months in preparation for their nearest event.

Each office is raising money for a different cause and some of the money raised by Johnston Carmichael’s Glasgow Kiltwalk team will go to Calum’s Cabin, the holiday home on the Isle of Bute that provides respite care for young people with cancer and their families.

Mark Houston, managing partner at Johnston Carmichael’s Glasgow office, was among the team who took part in the Kiltwalk.

He said: “I’m incredibly proud of our partnership with the Kiltwalk and all of our staff and partners who put their best foot forward to take part in the Glasgow event. There were some sore and blistered feet in the office afterwards, but it was so worth it to cross that finish line and be able to support the communities in which we live and work.”

Caroline Speirs, founder of Calum’s Cabin, said: “Calum’s Cabin would like to thank Johnston Carmichael for all their support at the Glasgow Kiltwalk. It was wonderful having some of the team at our practice walk in March on the Isle of Bute and we are so appreciative of all their support that will help so many families who have a child a suffering from cancer and cancer related diseases to come and visit Calum’s Cabin, Calum’s Cabin Cottage, Mount Stuart and the Glasgow Flat.”

Kiltwalk chief executive Paul Cooney, said: “Without generous sponsors such as Johnston Carmichael, the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk would not have reached these amazing heights. To rally more than 10,000 walkers to take part, and to make the event happen, requires a tremendous team effort, and Johnston Carmichael is a key part of the team.

“We thank the firm for all its support, and all Johnston Carmichael’s employees who took part in the biggest ever Kiltwalk.”

This year Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation have promised to add 40p to every £1 raised by the walkers, massively boosting the funds that will go to charities.

The Aberdeen Kiltwalk will take place on 3 June; Dundee on 19 August and Edinburgh on 16 September and there’s still time to sign up for any or all three at www.thekiltwalk.co.uk.