Moderator taking part in Kiltwalk to raise money for Christian Aid
Published on 20 April 2021
The Moderator of the General Assembly is putting on his kilt and walking boots to raise money for Christian Aid.
Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair will walk six miles along the banks of the River Tay in Perthshire this weekend.
Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair
The expedition is in solidarity with Rose, a grandmother from Kenya, who walks the distance on a daily basis to collect water for her family.
The Kiltwalk, which is being held over the weekend of 23-25 of April, gives Christian Aid Scotland supporters, and other charity boosters, the opportunity to get active in their local area while raising funds.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, large groups cannot gather and the event is being celebrated online.
Climate justice
Dr Fair, who will be wearing his Flower of Scotland kilt, said: "Walking, sporting the kilt and Christian Aid, what's not to like?
"Though by necessity it will be different this year,the Kiltwalk is more important than ever.
"It's vital that we find ways to support charities like Christian Aid when so much of their usual fundraising, like the Bridge Crosses, hasn't been possible."
Dr Fair said he was very moved by the story of Rose, who like millions of others across the world, is caught in a cycle of climate chaos.
From severe drought to flooding, extreme weather robs her of what she needs to survive - a reliable source of water.
Dr Fair said: "Water is so plentiful in Scotland, it's all around us in the many lochs and rivers.
"It's hard to imagine walking so far, every day, just to get enough water for drinking and cooking.
"So with every step along the River Tay, I'll be thinking of Rose and women like her and trying to raise awareness of the work of Christian Aid in Kenya, supporting communities on the frontline of the climate emergency."
All donations will be topped up by an extra 50% thanks to the Hunter Foundation, an organisation established by businessman and philanthropist, Sir Tom Hunter.
This means that supporters can raise even more money for Christian Aid, helping it fight poverty and injustice around the world.
Very Rev Colin Sinclair and his wife Ruth.
Very Rev Colin Sinclair of Palmerston Place Church in Edinburgh, and his wife, Ruth are taking part in the Kilt Walk on Saturday to try and raise at least £2,000 for Nazareth Hospital in Israel.
They are walking along the banks of the Water of Leith in Edinburgh, from Balerno to Leith which is around 12 miles.
Nazareth Hospital was established in 1861 by Dr and Mrs Vartan, who were trained by the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society.
It was the only dispensary between Jerusalem, Damascus in Syria and Beirut in Lebanon.
Today, the Nazareth Trust is one of the most established and prominent Christian organisations in Israel and it engages with more 400,000 people each year.
The hospital serves as the main trauma centre for Nazareth and the surrounding area and provides a wide range of services including general surgery, maternity, paediatrics, psychiatry and intensive care.
Mr Sinclair, who was Moderator of the General Assembly in 2019-20, said: "We have enjoyed meeting with the senior staff of the hospital both in Nazareth and in Edinburgh and want to show our active support for all that they do".
The couple hope to once again walk the "Jesus Trail," a five-day challenging hike over 46 miles from Nazareth to Capernaum, in November, to raise money for the hospital
Mrs Sinclair added: "Every time I have walked the Jesus Trail, the Bible has come more to life so that it has been for me a personal pilgrimage that also helps the ongoing work and witness of the hospital today."
Rev Ellen Larson-Davidson with her children Family affair
Rev Ellen Larson Davidson, minister of Kippen and Norrieston churches in Stirlingshire, is taking part in the Kiltwalk along with her two children, Sophia and Fraser, to raise money for Christian Aid.
Dressed in the Davidson tartan, they are walking from Kippen to Arnprior and back on one day which is around six and a half miles.
On another day, they will walk between Kippen and Gargunnock and back which is around eight miles.
Rev Barry Hughes, minister of St Mark's Parish Church in Stirling, is also doing the Kilt Walk to raise money for Start Up Stirling, a charity which supports homeless people and runs a food bank in the building.
He will run 26 miles around the city over two days this weekend.
