Show Your Love for Yorkhill

So this year 750 took part in the Hampden to Loch Lomond Kiltwalks raising over £220,000 which is a remarkable set of figures. However we have ambitious targets here at The Kiltwalk.

Our aim, as many of you know, is to become Scotland's best known and most loved fundraising event for disadvantaged children and in 2013 we want to raise £1m for Scotland's Children and to do that we want 1,500 taking part in the Hampden to Loch Lomond Kiltwalks (26 miles, 13 miles and 10K).

It's great to set financial targets and it's great to get so many people walking a Kiltwalk as they really are fun, despite the miles. However we believe it's important that we also remember why we're all doing what we do.

We're doing it for great causes and great charities. The Kiltwalk can't find cures for illnesses or children in difficult situations and sadly neither can our charities. What our partner charities do so well is make life that bit more bearable for children and their families, at a time when they need support the most. That's what your money goes towards.

This year Yorkhill Children's Foundation have been added as a core charity partner of the Kiltwalk in memory of Alia Coull, who so sadly passed away in September 2012, aged 16 months.

Yorkhill Children's Foundation provides enhanced medical equipment and resources which benefit sick children and babies who are treated at Yorkhill Hospital and within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. These can include innovative medical equipment, improvements in child and family facilities and paediatric research and training.

Aila's Mum Sine and Auntie Kirsty had already signed up to do the Kiltwalk when Aila was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2012. Inspired by the care and support that Aila and the family were receiving from Yorkhill's Schehallion Ward, Kirsty organised a team of 30 family and friends to do the Speyside Kiltwalk. They raised £25,000 with Yorkhill receiving 50%.

Sadly, brave Aila lost her fight against the illness - and at this time our thoughts are with the family.

Looking forward we hope the funding Yorkhill will receive from The Kiltwalk might go some way towards helping to save the lives of other children struck down by illness.