Charity shop staff go an extra 50 miles to mark 50 years of Shelter Scotland

Morningside community shop manager Tony Foster and Nicolson Street assistant manager Laura McGarvey are among the party of six sponsored walkers attempting 50 miles in 24 hours

Shop workers know all about being on their feet all day but half a dozen from charity Shelter Scotland are taking that to a whole new level.

The staff who work in the charity’s shops in Edinburgh are going to attempt a sponsored walk from Glasgow to Edinburgh in one day to mark the housing and homelessness campaign’s 50th anniversary.

They’ll set off from Glasgow at 10pm on Friday night (August 31) and walk a symbolic 50 miles along the Union Canal to the capital, aiming to reach home within 24 hours.

Tony Foster, community shop manager from Shelter Scotland’s Morningside branch, said: “Our area manager came up with this idea, but she must have hypnotised us all because we’ve now realised it’s going to be really difficult! We all love walking, but this is overnight, by the canal for 50 miles.

“It’s a huge challenge so we’re all nervous, but really excited for the adventure that lies ahead.”

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Shelter Scotland’s shops are the heart of our communities and bring in the funds which help us to continue to offer support and advice to people in housing crisis.

“Our staff do a terrific amount of work for us every day and it is really amazing to see this group volunteer to undertake such an arduous challenge. I’m really grateful to each of them and their supporters for going not just the extra mile but these extra 50 miles.”

Anyone who would like to support the team’s efforts with a donation can text SSRT50 and the amount you want to give in £s to 70070 so if you wanted to donate £10 you would text SSRT50 £10.

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