Teen cadet and proud Papa take on the Kiltwalk for Armed Forces charity

26 February 2026

A Motherwell teenager with plans for a military future is teaming up with her beloved grandpa to complete one of Scotland’s most popular fundraising events.

With 60 years between them Charlie Watson, 17, and Ian Harper, 77, will undertake the Glasgow Kiltwalk’s Mighty Stride – a 23-mile trek from Glasgow Green to Moss O’Balloch Park – in support of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The Taylor High School student came across SSAFA after joining her local air cadets, 498 Wishaw Squadron, three years ago and, having quickly fallen in love with military life, Charlie now plans to join the Forces after university.

On signing up for the Kiltwalk she said it was an easy decision to choose SSAFA and support her future colleagues in their time of need.

She said completing the challenge with her papa will be a “bonding experience” that they will both enjoy.

Charlie said: “My papa does a lot of daily walking – about eight miles a day. I know we’re both capable of it and we both enjoy walking so I signed us up, and he was really excited about it.

“I go to rambling club with my papa and lots of people there have done the Kiltwalk and say it’s brilliant. We are looking forward to it.”

Ian added: “Charlie phoned me and said she was doing the Kiltwalk and I said, ‘That’s great, hen.’ When she said, ‘Papa, you’re doing it with me,’ I was over the moon! She’s a lovely girl; the apple of my eye. I’m so proud of how she’s doing in cadets and I’m really looking forward to the Kiltwalk.”

Scott Cunningham, Senior Events Challenge Events Officer for SSAFA, said: “The Kiltwalk is a flagship fundraising event in the Scottish calendar and I’m delighted to have Charlie and Ian on Team SSAFA.

“The tireless efforts of committed local fundraisers are vital to the work we do at SSAFA, helping us reach more people who need our support and continue to be there for the whole Armed Forces community so that they never battle alone.”