SSAFA's Kiltwalk Edinburgh success

18 September 2024

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is thrilled to announce the success of its participation in the 2024 Edinburgh Kiltwalk, which took place on 15 September. With 173 walkers representing SSAFA in Edinburgh, participants took on the Mighty Stride (21 miles), the Big Stroll (11 miles), and the Wee Wander (5 miles) —each route offering a unique challenge against the iconic backdrop of Holyrood Palace.

Among the participants was Nicole Wicks, who completed the walk while pregnant. Reflecting on the experience, Nicole said, “I thought the mental challenge would be tough, but it wasn’t as hard as I expected. Maybe some joint pain, but overall, it was a great experience.”

The event also saw groups like the Burlesque Troopers take on the Kiltwalk, playing music throughout to boost morale and foster the SSAFA spirit. "We were excited and nervous, but we smashed it. Everyone kept each other going, even when things got tough," one team member said. You can still support the group by donating via Nikkole Jamieson’s JustGiving page.

A particularly heartwarming moment was when Lincoln, a guide dog, received a medal for completing the Mighty Stride alongside his owner, and SSAFA stalwart, Scott. Scott shared, “The best part of the day was meeting Everyone—our supporters, veterans, and Armed Forces community. It’s inspiring to see people from other charities wanting to support SSAFA in next year’s Kiltwalk.”

SSAFA would like to extend a special thank you to Robertson Group and Robertson Capital Projects for their invaluable support. Their participation made a significant impact on the day’s success. Lewis, who took part, said: “The walk was a good opportunity to test myself. Raising money for charity doesn’t need much convincing.” Heather Bell added: “I’ve done a couple of Kiltwalks in the past, and this was a great chance for us to come together as a business to support SSAFA.”