Crematorium Teams Charity Kiltwalk raises money for Charity
(L-R: Carol Blair - Gatekeeper and Temp Admin Assistant, Carole Rae – Crematorium Manager, Gemma Smith – Crematorium Assistant, Lynn Williamson – former Crematorium Assistant and Diane Calder – local councillor.)
An intrepid team from West Lothian Crematorium raised more than a £1000 for charity by stepping out in style in the annual Kiltwalk event.
The team took part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, with their ‘Big Stroll’ – starting and finishing at the BT Murrayfield Stadium – a trek of more than 13 miles, to raise money for Scottish Huntington’s Association.
West Lothian Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 37 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
Earlier this year, Westerleigh named Scottish Huntington’s Association as its corporate charity partner in Scotland for 2022 in Scotland, and the Huntington’s Disease Association as its charity partner in England and Wales.
That was after Roger Mclaughlan stepped down as Westerleigh Group’s chief executive officer, a post he held for nearly two years, after learning he had inherited the faulty gene that leads to Huntington’s disease.
West Lothian Crematorium site manager Carole Rae said: “After finding out about Roger’s diagnosis, we knew that we wanted to raise both awareness and funds for such a worthy cause.
“Also, within the last few years, two of our close colleagues/friends’ families have also been affected by the disease, so we felt that this year was the time to start a tradition we hope to carry on, year-on-year.”
Carole was joined on the Kiltwalk by Carol Blair, gatekeeper, and temporary crematorium assistant; Gemma Smith, crematorium assistant; Lynn Williamson, former crematorium assistant; and local councillor Diane Calder.
Carole said: “We tried to train most weeks, at least once a week, for around six-to-eight miles each time. It’s not something we have done previously, but we had a brilliant time relaxing as a team after work hours and making the most of the lovely nights and sights we have around our site.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity from our colleagues in the funeral industry and our families. We started with a target of £300 and we soon smashed that and there are donations still to come in.
“We were also extremely grateful to hear that, once we know what our final fund-raising total is, the Hunter Foundation is going to add another 50 per cent on top, which is very generous and which, I am sure, will be very welcome by Scottish Huntington’s Association.”
The Kiltwalk began 25 years ago, with new partners Bank of Scotland and Arnold Clark coming on board with The Hunter Foundation in 2016. Since then, Kiltwalk events have raised a total of £33.9 million for more than 3,000 charities.
The Kiltwalk is one of several projects supported by The Hunter Foundation, a proactive philanthropy venture which aims to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of background or location.
