She's a little bit Crazy and a little bit Mad

The Kiltwalk is slowly becoming a phenomenon.

I mean for many who take part I completely "get it", however for others it’s less obvious. That is until you realise The Kiltwalk is not just any other charity event like say the Moonwalk, or Race for Life.

No The Kiltwalk is not a faceless charity event, it has become a virtual and living community where people who started as complete strangers, are now united, with common purpose, which is one of doing what they can to help Scotland’s Children.

One such person is the slightly mad, slighty crazy and sometimes scary Joanne Docherty who took part in her first Kiltwalk back in April when she walked from Hampden Park to Loch Lomond and as we all know, then for some it's a case of "once a Kiltwalker, always a Kiltwalker"

And of course that’s exactly what happened as Joanne went on to take part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk. She then set herself another target and has now raised enough sponsorship that she’s signed up for Speyside, Aberdeen and Angus, where this time she’s walking for Team Aine.

Joanne contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if she could write a Blip Journal from a Kiltwalkers viewpoint and explain why she’s doing all of this.

As a Mum to her daughter Shauna, pictured above, she looks like any other proud, doting Mum who wants to take part in something to help kids who need help the most, however that's just part of why Joanne is now a dedicated Kiltwalker as for Joanne it’s also all about keeping a very special promise.

Please read her story below and if you see her on Sunday, give her a hug and say hello, she doesn’t bite, well not too hard that is.

A promise, is a promise

In order to tell my story, I need to take you back to January 2013, which is when I first read about the Kiltwalk via Yorkhill Children’s Foundation and unbeknown to me at the time, was and event that would change my life forever.

Like most of you I became smitten with The KiltWalks boundless support, hard work and determination to raise money for Oor kids.

What really stole my heart however was the brave, courageous children whose smiles, light up even the darkest of rooms. These children’s fighting spirit reminded me of my wee brother David – who sadly passed away of a heart defect at only four weeks old.

I was nearly the same age as my daughter is now, but his fighting sprit will live in my heart forever and I will forever take great pride in always being David’s big sister.

All those years ago, I made a promise to David that I would help as many children as I could when I was “a big girl” – so here I am, definitely older - but still behaving like an 18 years old in my head :-)

Having taken part in numerous charity events in support of Yorkhill Children’s foundation before, this Kiltwalk thing seemed like the next exciting thing to do. So I immediately liked and became a friend of the Kiltwalk on Facebook and the rest, as they say, is history.

I was really nervous after I'd signed up for what was a whopping 26 miles as I had previously taken part in a half marathon a few years back in aid of Children’s Cancers – and by mile 8, my feet were quite literally swimming in blood, not to be a drama queen.... I was in AGONY – literally blisters on my blisters and even though I finished, the pain has never left my head - so this challenge as you can imagine was huge for me! But in reality nothing compared to what so many children have to face.

So I sucked it up and signed up....Then much to my daughter’s delight I started training almost immediately......and she got to keep me company on her bike ;)

I started training for 2 miles....then slept.....3 miles....slept.....in fact I probably spent more time in my bed when I first started training than I did walking the streets!

I vividly remember my first 14 mile training session, in the wind and snow. It was a real challenge, but I did it and proudly fell through my front door, defrosted my wee pink legs, and cuddled the radiator till my daughter got home from school and thought – if I can do that, I can do 26 miles for sure.

Bizarrely I even started to 'enjoy' my training sessions and over time developed something I was later to find out was known as a leg “muscle” (for those first timers like me - say it as its spelt) Hurrah!

Leading up to the Glasgow Kilt walk time flew in remarkably quickly, and I got to make so many new friends along the way. I not only refer to them as my friends – but I am proud to say my wee Kilt Walk family.

They are always there with words of encouragement, or to help you smile in times of need and for me, this is what being part of the Kiltwalk experience is all about, not only helping the children, but supporting each other.

I remember on the eve of the big day, I was surprised to even manage any sleep at all, and remember Ian giving all Kiltwalkers into trouble on Facebook if they weren’t in their bed by midnight. I started laughing and realised that he too was completing the Glasgow Kiltwalk, and still up writing this post (just after midnight) and we were still awake reading it. It was madness personified :-)

Up I bounced on the day (cough, choke) proudly dawning my kilt and Kiltwalk T- Shirt - and we all made our way to Hampden stadium. My stomach was churning as countdown began and I was that nervous I couldn’t even eat the caramel wafer given to me at the start line!!!!!

Although it was raining, a lot, nothing could dampen the spirits of the Kiltwalkers as everyone was there with a smile and a joke which really helps spur you on. No one was more surprised than me when I reached the half way point and I wasn’t in any pain at all – Then onwards onto our target of mile 26. My God, that pint at the bar at the end never tasted so good.

Even though I had to take my daughter to school the next day in my slippers, walking sideways like a crab..... I have never felt prouder to be part of such an amazing experience.

After Glasgow (and recovery of my wee leg muscle) - I really missed being part of the Kilt Walk community. So with the aid of Oor Kilt stalker Ian....sorry ...chancer....sorry.... IAN (lol).... and the fantastic assistance of the fellow Kilted community – I signed up with my crazy friend Karen to complete Edinburgh in May 2013 reaching up and over my target of £1,000 for both Glasgow and Edinburgh combined.

I loved the Edinburgh Kiltwalk just as much as Glasgow, and quickly realised I was becoming addicted to all that was tartan!! I then read about Oor wee Aine, 5 years old from Penicuik and her courageous Journey. http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2897824

In a desperate bid to help Aine and without much arm twisting (though I might have promised an alcoholic beverage or two) my equally mad friend Emma signed up to do Speyside taking place 1st September 2013, and if we hit £800 we would sign up for Aberdeen on 15th September and if we hit £1100 Angus would also signed at the end of September.

That’s 3 Kilt walks in 1 month – holy moly!

Needless to say, with endless support from family, friends and colleagues – we have hit our target so my wee legs are getting that all familiar nervous feeling I experienced back in Glasgow – Kilted déjà vu

We are also thinking of taking shares out in thousand mile socks too ;)

So in conclusion - If anyone is reading this is even thinking about volunteering their services, donating or signing up for a walk – it just begins with one single step, and I promise you like I promised David..... it’s all worth it for Oor Kids of Scotland.

This is for my wee David, who I loved then, now and forever.

Your big sister

Jo xxx

You can sponsor the little bit crazy, little bit mad Jo and her pal Emma at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=aines.journey&isTeam=true