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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Awards to celebrate active lifestyle volunteers

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Walking charity Paths for All will host the event at the Scottish parliament in September.

Volunteers who encourage Scots to get walking and promote active lifestyles will be recognised at an awards ceremony in September.

The event, Celebrating Scotland's Walking Champions, is held annually by national walking charity Paths for All at the Scottish parliament building in Edinburgh.

It showcases the outstanding dedication and achievements of volunteers across the country who help to create a “happier, healthier and greener” Scotland.

This year’s ceremony is set to be dominated by individuals and groups from the county’s biggest city, as more people from Glasgow have been nominated for awards than any other area.

Kit McKeown, 79, is in the running for the Health Walk Volunteer of the Year award.

Through the Good Move Glasgow programme, Kit leads walks that celebrate the city’s culture and wildlife while also helping participants lead an active lifestyle.

The scheme provides over 35 accessible health walks across the city each week, helping over 400 people become more active each year.

Kit, who describes volunteering as “incredibly fulfilling and rewarding” said she was humbled by the nomination.

“I’ve completed my training to be a walk leader over ten years ago and I find my time volunteering on the health walks really special as I get to see first-hand how much of a difference a little activity makes to all of our walkers’ lives, physically and mentally,” she said.

“The sense of support and community is an important part of our walks and something that keeps people coming back. Everyone is really open and welcoming and you meet so many interesting characters with incredible stories.

“Having been a carer myself, I can understand the concerns the walkers in our carers group have to cope with every day. The recovery group helps me to connect and offer non-judgmental support to people in need of understanding.”

Kit was nominated by Michelle Bauge, sports development co-ordinator at Glasgow Life.

She said: “Kit has empathy, patience and kindness in abundance. She understands the value of the walks and what they mean to each individual.

“Regardless whether it is only one person who turns up or more, Kit will be there every week without fail - rail, hail or snow.

“We nominated Kit as we would love to see her efforts recognised, and for her to know just how special and appreciated she really is by the team and our walkers.”

The awards ceremony takes place at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 10 September. Winners will receive an award and certificate, as well as a gift voucher and a donation towards their project.

Ian Findlay, chief officer at Paths for All, said: “The Volunteer Awards are always a very important event in Scotland’s community calendar as they highlight some of our country’s unsung heroes.

“Walking is a fantastic way of improving the nation’s physical, mental and social health, so the work these volunteers are doing really is invaluable to Scotland.”