Colleagues Dawn Bunce, Lesley Shaw, Fiona Friel, Caroline McGladdery and Vida Aba Bonney are taking part in the 2026 Glasgow Kiltwalk on Saturday 25 April.

The tartan-tastic team aims to complete ‘The Big Stroll’ 14.5-mile challenge in aid of East Dunbartonshire Befriending Service (EDBS) – which works tirelessly to tackle loneliness and isolation.

The charity currently helps more than 100 local residents and has nearly 50 volunteer befrienders who provide free support on a one-to-one basis, in group settings and via telephone – whether it be due to a decline in health/mobility, bereavement or relocation.

It also runs a popular lunch club three times a week within Kirkintilloch, which is delivered by 10 volunteers.

EDBS Service Manager Dawn Bunce said: “We were inspired by one of our volunteers, Gordon Pollock, who completed a sponsored cycle around Arran last year, despite being in his 70s. I initially said I would do the three-mile walk and was refused! So, we agreed to take on the 14.5-mile route.

“Are we looking forward to it? Yes and no! Fiona thrives in the outdoors and is highly active, while Vida has been walking three hours every Saturday. I’m looking forward to achieving the end result!

“We’re confident we will share some laughs throughout the day, as we are a very small but tight team. We are also delighted and extremely grateful to have some EDBS volunteers and friends joining us – Geraldine McCann and friend Lynn Ralph who are keen walkers, Paul Harrison who has hinted he will walk wearing his kilt and Lee Hodgkinson – going above and beyond. I’d like to thank them for all they do as volunteers, but to join us in this fundraising event leaves me humbled and deeply appreciative.”

The team has a £1,000 target – you can support online here.

Donations can also be handed into the office at Units 4+5, 18-20 Townhead, Kirkintilloch.

Visit here to keep up to date with the team’s progress and visit here for more information.

Every penny raised will support the non-profit organisation to continue to help the people of East Dunbartonshire – covering costs, events and more.

“We all experience moments that we wish we could bottle and these make our role within the team worthwhile,” said Dawn.

“When you match a befriendee with a befriender for the first time – and you become redundant because they are chatting away like old friends – it’s invaluable. 

“The happy tears cried by people when they have been to one of our events and say ‘I feel alive again’ … it has a very deep and profound impact on us.

“We want to continue helping people, but rely solely on funding to provide our free service. If you can support us, please do.”

As an extra bonus, Dawn has pledged that if they raise £1,500, she will leap into Loch Lomond at the end of the walk (which starts in Clydebank). If they get to £2,000, she has vowed to take a team member in with her!

Help them to take the challenge in their stride, donate here.

The service’s main funder is East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, but it also relies on public donations and support from the likes of the Council’s Community Grants Scheme, National Lottery Awards for All Scotland and the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund to help pay the bills.

EDBS is keen to hear from any businesses who may wish to sponsor the charity on a monthly basis – email info@edbs.org.uk or call 0141 345 0432.