A poignant fundraiser to support three Moray cancer charities will return next month.
The Walk has supported causes to fight the disease since it was established in the region in 2015 – with money split between organisers Logan’s Fund, the Aila Coull Foundation and Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation.
All the charities are run in memory of children from the area who have lost their battle with the illness at a young age to support others going through the same struggles.
However, this year’s event will have an added significance for the organisers following the death of the man who signalled that start of last year’s route.
Allan Stewart, from Ballach near Glasgow, died in June following his own three-year battle with cancer.
The campaigner established the charity support team at Chivas, who have provided support for the fundraiser for several years and started 2018’s walk from Strathisla Distillery in Keith.
The start for this year’s walk has been moved to Aberlour with organisers promising the route to be the most spectacular yet.
Last year’s event raised sponsorship of more than £16,500 with half the cash split between the three organising causes and the rest going to people’s own chosen charities.
Cameron Mackintosh, chairman of Logan’s Fund, hopes the spectacular scenery will help to build a large field of walkers for the fundraiser – with participants in the two-mile route having the thrill of being piped across the historic Craigellachie Bridge.
He said: “This year’s route takes in some really special views and passes lots of points of interest and has loads of ‘wow’ moments on it for the walkers
“As well as taking in more distilleries that probably any other sponsored walk in the world, it’s got it castles, the River Spey, the historic railway and of course Highland cattle.”
The three routes for the event are a 16-mile Aberlour to Dufftown loop, a seven-mile Dufftown to Aberlour walk and a short two-mile route for families from Craigellachie to Aberlour.
The Walk will be held on Sunday, September 8. People can register online at www.thewalkspeyside.co.uk
