A Highland charity walk to raise awareness of work carried out by carers in the region has smashed its 500 mile target – more than five times over.
The WALK500 event, organised by charity group Connecting Carers in aid of Carers Week 2017, aimed to bring local communities and businesses together to complete a 500 mile stretch over one week.
But by the second day, the target had already been reached with volunteers racking up a whopping 2,591 miles in total across the duration.
The incredible turnout serves as a timely remember of a 50% rise in the number of carers in the Highlands over the past 10 years, with the UK figure expected to rise to nine million by 2019.
Carer Centre manager Roisin Connolly said the week was a “fantastic way to celebrate the vital contribution” made by the 31,000 people in the Highlands who care unpaid for a disabled, older or ill family member or friend.
She added: “Caring can be a rewarding experience but without the right support many carers find themselves facing financial hardship, ill-health, emotional stress, relationship breakdown and isolation.
“It’s wonderful to see so many events taking place as part of WALK500 to support local carers.”
As part of the event, walks took place from Thurso in the North to Fort William and Arisaig in the south with people registering online to volunteer their time.
Highlights of the week included a beach to Bothy walk along Nairn west beach where dolphins put in an appearance to keep the walkers company, a riverside walk by the Inverness Carers Group, a circular walk around Arisaig and two hill walks, one to the top of Fyrish and the other to the top of Ben Rinnes in Speyside.
As part of the proceedings to kick off Carers Week across the UK, a group of 18 young carers walked a total of 63 miles, each taking on 3.5 miles and counting their steps.
More than 700,000 young people are currently registered as carers across the UK, with many being forced to give up full-time work.
Connecting Carers warns that while caring can be a rewarding experience, it can also have a damaging impact on a person’s health, finances and relationships.
The charity hopes that the activities will help raise awareness of some of the difficult but important work carers carry out on a daily basis.
Ms Connolly said: “We hope that through these events; individuals, organisations and services will be able to see just what a positive difference they can make to the lives of carers.
“By thinking about what they need to build Carer Friendly Communities; whether that’s, for example, offering a flexible GP appointment, having flexible working policies or raising awareness in schools of caring.”
The event, which serves as an annual awareness campaign, ran from June 12-18.
