People power has led to the traditional annual Dufftown Boy’s walk to go ahead after it was called off.
Just a few days ago, the Press and Journal reported that the historic New Year’s Day fundraiser was cancelled due to lack of organisers for the first time since the two world wars.
The decision was made following a Dufftown Juvenile Society committee meeting held last week resulted in four people offering to help with the 186th walk in 2020 which is considerably less than the dozen or so who have in previous years.
However, people across Moray took to social media to express their disappointment that the Boy’s Walk would not be happening this New Year’s Day as is tradition in Dufftown.
Ian McDonald, who supervises the children at the front of the walk every year, said: “After it appeared in the paper there has been quite a few people on Facebook and phoning in saying that they’re willing to help or join the committee because the walk should never be stopped, as once it stops it might never be started again – which was my feeling as well.”
Mr McDonald, 65, and a few other volunteers who help with walk on the day, have pledged that they will ensure the walk takes place this year, although the children’s party in the evening remains cancelled.
However, he is appealing to residents of Dufftown to join the Dufftown Juvenile Society committee at the next meeting, which will likely be at the end of January, for the walk to be sustainable for years to come.
He said: “We need new blood in the committee. Just because the walk is going ahead we still need people to be helping out by joining the committee for it to continue.”
As Mr McDonald distributed posters around Dufftown and surrounding towns throughout Moray, he said people in cafes and shops were “delighted” to see that the decision had been reversed and the fundraiser was to run for another year.
He added: “It’s been a very positive reaction from the whole community.”
The Dufftown event was first established in 1835 and quickly became embroidered into the fabric of the town.
Originally to collect tools for apprentices, the walk now raises money for North East charities and local organisations.
Young boys and girls lead the procession waving toy swords and flags followed by the local pipe band who are accompanied by families joining in the march.
Mr McDonald said: “It means a lot to me and to Dufftown as a whole, I did the walk as a child myself and my children did, and now my grandchildren are in the pipe band. It really is a part of Dufftown’s heritage.”
