Walk for Jock raises £10K

Walk for Jock, which has been running since 2008, saw 13 local people trek the 97-mile West Highland Way last month to raise the sum.

Cheques were handed over on Sunday in a packed Platform 3 by Old Firm legends Gordon Smith and Murdo Macleod, and former Scotland and British Lions stalwart Peter Wright.

Donations included £2650 for Neuroblastoma UK, with local 10-year-old Ashlee Easton, who is fighting the aggressive childhood cancer, receiving the cheque.

Other donations were £2400 for Strathcarron Hospice, £1663 for Macmillan Cancer Support, and £815 for Mary’s Meals, with the remainder going to several local and national charities.

The walk’s organiser Davie Paterson said he was “overwhelmed” at the level of support this year, both from those who took part in the walk, and from a host of others in the community.

“We’re not finished either,” Davie said, “as I know some of the walkers still have quite a lot of money still coming in. I’ve also been given two retro jerseys from both the Rangers and Celtic supporters clubs in Linlithgow, and they’ll be signed and auctioned soon for charity.”

Davie gave special thanks to Jim and Billy Harris, who have a large van and mini-bus hire company in Blackburn. He said:“They gave us a mini-bus and our volunteer driver Brian Kirkwood who dropped off the bags at all our overnight stays.”