Edinburgh accountants go the distance for charity

The 28-strong team from the firm’s Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling offices joined 6,000 other Kiltwalkers who donned their tartan and took on the five-mile Wee Wander, the 14.5-mile Big Stroll and the 24-mile Mighty Stride.

Walking from Holyrood Park, through Musselburgh and finishing at the Kiltwalk village at BT Murrayfield, the team raised vital funds for charities including My Name’5 Doddie, Beatson Cancer Charity, Macmillian Cancer Support and The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice.

Staff members across the firm, which is a gold sponsor of the Kiltwalk, have also participated in the three previous events this year, in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, raising a total of £19,200 for charities. Among the team was John MacLean, from the company’s wealth team, who has taken on all four walks this year, raising over £800 for It’s Good 2 Give.

Thanks to backing from Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation, an extra 40p will be added to every £1 raised by each and every walker, massively boosting the funds that will go to charities.

Gemma Spiers, partner and head of marketing at Johnston Carmichael, said: “Taking on the final Big Stroll of the year in Scotland’s capital was a fantastic experience, and to do it with my team mates made it all the more special. I’m very proud of everyone for getting stuck in and raising those all-important funds for some extremely worthwhile charities.

“Johnston Carmichael has supported the Kiltwalk for a number of years, and to see it grow each year is amazing. Being part of their story is very special to us and we are already looking forward to next year’s events.”

Paul Cooney, CEO of Kiltwalk, said: “What a special day for Kiltwalk and Edinburgh. We saw 6,000 people walking today for some fantastic causes, and once again there was a strong presence from our gold sponsor, Johnston Carmichael.

“The total fundraising figure of £1.7 million raised in the capital at this year’s Kiltwalk is mind blowing, and to have doubled the number of Kiltwalkers in the capital in two years is truly phenomenal. We appreciate the support of Team Johnston Carmichael and thank them very much for the enormous contribution they make.”