Veronica’s story: Four Kiltwalks, £1,100 for WAY

September 2024

This year, WAY’s National Volunteer Manager Veronica has raised more than £1,100 for WAY by taking part in four Kiltwalks through Scotland’s biggest cities. And walked more than 201,000 steps! She takes up the story…

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This year has been a milestone year for WAY’s National Volunteer Manager Veronica as she marked her 50^th birthday. At the start of the year, she decided to raise funds for WAY by walking four separate fundraising Kiltwalks in Scotland in 2024 – racking up  201,000 steps through the pavements of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh over more than 80 miles. That’s the equivalent of walking from Glasgow to Dundee!

But for Veronica, these four walks represented more than just physical endurance – they carried huge emotional significance too. 

“Turning 50 was a huge milestone and one that, for me, felt like a huge privilege, following my husband’s sudden death when he was 41,” she explained.  “This year, I wanted to do something as part of my 50th celebrations and also in memory of my husband, who didn’t get the chance to have his 50th birthday. It’s also been 30 years since my dad passed away, and he too was under 50 when he died. I hadn’t made all these connections when I started, but this year became bigger than I initially realised.”

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Veronica set an initial fundraising target of £500 but was quickly overwhelmed by the generosity of supporters. “Some people have donated multiple times,” she said, “and it’s humbling to see how much people are willing to back something that means so much to me and my family.”

On 15 September, Veronica walked the final of the four Kiltwalks through Edinburgh – and is delighted that she has raised more than £1,100 to help support fellow young widows and widowers across the UK. Over the course of the year, including training for the Kiltwalks, she has walked an incredible  3.2 million steps!!

Fantastic support

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Each Kiltwalk brought unique experiences and challenges, from meeting new WAY members to battling the (unusually warm) Scottish weather. The Glasgow Kiltwalk, which took place on 28 April, was the first of the four and an emotional start to Veronica’s journey. Despite walking alone for most of the route, she felt supported by 14,000 others who were all walking for incredible causes. She was also joined for the final part of the walk by another member of the WAY community.

“A WAY member named Anna, who I had only met briefly before showed up to cheer me on – and ended up walking the last six miles with me!” Veronica recalled. “Her kindness and support helped me get across the finish line.”

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The Aberdeen Kiltwalk followed in June, with suitably stunning weather. Two fellow fundraisers, Neil and Denise, walked alongside Veronica, helping to keep her spirits up when her feet got tired: “It was lovely to have their company the full way round – a day full of chat, snacks, singalongs, laughter and beautiful weather,” she said. 

Several WAY members (Kim and Mihaela) joined Veronica for the Dundee Kiltwalk  in August, along with Veronica’s daughter, who was raising funds in her dads’ memory. The weather proved to be just a bit too sunny, with heat stroke affecting several of the walkers. But the camaraderie of walking together helped to get Veronica over the finish line.

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Veronica’s final Kiltwalk took place on 15 September through the streets of Edinburgh. She was joined by fellow WAY member Neil, who was raising funds for the childhood bereavement charity and WAY partner Winston’s Wish.

Once again, the weather was unseasonably warm – and the rain held off until the final mile, when the heavens opened, leaving Veronica and other walkers absolutely drenched. But the sun soon returned and they were all dry by the time they crossed the finish line to claim their medals.

As Veronica puts her feet up at the end of her Kiltwalk journey, she wanted to share a message with everyone who has been on this journey with her in 2024:

“A massive thank you to everyone who has supported me through messages, donations and walking alongside me,” she said. “These events have reminded me how important it is to keep charities thriving, especially during tough times. Together, we’ve raised awareness, funds and hope.”

Veronica also wanted to give a special shout-out to WAY member Kathryn, who had to withdraw from taking part in the Kiltwalk due to health issues, but still managed to raise nearly £400 for WAY.