Retailers, suppliers, wholesalers and even SLR’s very own publisher are doing the Kiltwalk this year to raise much-needed funds for GroceryAid Scotland.
Under GroceryAid Scotland’s umbrella ‘Just Dae It!’ fundraising campaign to encourage the entire Scottish sector to do something active for charity, a huge group of retailers, suppliers and wholesalers are taking part in this year’s series of Kiltwalks to raise money for GroceryAid.
With Kiltwalks in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, some of the industry’s finest – and SLR publisher Antony Begley – are donning their kilts and walking up to 21 miles to further raise awareness of GroceryAid as well as raising much-needed funds.
Last month’s Dundee Kiltwalk saw Spar Scotland colleagues walk en masse in an inspiring display of commitment to the charity. This month sees many of the GroceryAid Scotland committee tackle a 21-mile circuit in Edinburgh.
SLR publisher Antony Begley commented: “This is my first Kiltwalk so I’m not sure what to expect. I’ve already looked out my kilt, last worn on my wedding day, and thankfully it still fits.
“Whatever the day throws at us, it will all be worth it. With the demand for financial, emotional and practical support from GroceryAid rocketing over the 12 months, more of our industry colleagues than ever clearly need help. We are in the very privileged position of being able to offer a little help and I want to personally thank all the fantastic friends and colleagues in this amazing industry who have already sponsored me. I set myself a fundraising target of £200 which I felt was challenging but doable. Thanks to the generosity of this industry however, I’m now approaching £800, which is humbling. If you can help, please do.”
- To sponsor GroceryAid Scotland’s Kiltwalk in Edinburgh, visit: justgiving.com/team/gascotlandcommitteejustdaeit
GroceryAid has published its Impact Report for 2022-23 revealing the steeply growing requirement for the charity’s financial, emotional and practical support services from independent retailing and grocery colleagues.
- The report shows a massive 44% increase in the number of requests from industry colleagues for support over the last year.
- In total, GroceryAid spent £5.6m supporting colleagues, including a record £642,000 awarded in School Essentials Grants.
- The charity’s free and confidential helpline also received over 10,000 calls from colleagues which resulted in more than 5,000 in-the-moment counselling sessions with a fully qualified and accredited counsellor.
- There was also a 14% increase in referrals for legal advice from Law Express and 1,282 Relate relationship counselling sessions were delivered.
