Squaddies’ quick feet raises cash for veterans

Nov 30 2011 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

A GROUP of big-hearted squaddies did a ‘relay’ good job of raising cash for a veterans’ home.

The soldiers of 2 SCOTS battalion ran the 35-mile length of the Forth & Clyde Canal – which stretches from the outskirts of Edinburgh to Glasgow – and collected £2,000 in the process.

A group of 25 soldiers from Glencourse Barracks, in Penicuik, took it in turns to complete the relay race in aid of the veterans’ charity, Erskine.

Erskine fundraising chief, John Fyfe, was quick to pay tribute to the stamina-sapped soldiers.

He said: “This was an incredible challenge and I’m indebted to the soldiers from 2 SCOTS who took part in a bid to raise funds for Erskine and the veterans in our care.

“It is a fantastic result for us, and quite incredible that they managed to raise £2,000 from the event. It will go a long way to helping Erskine care for veterans, young and old, across Scotland.

“We are all thrilled that their fundraising efforts proved to be such a success – and they seemed to have plenty left in the tank after the race!”

The battalion ended the challenge at Erskine’s Anniesland home late in the afternoon after initially setting out from their barracks at 6am.

They were welcomed over the finish line by cheering Erskine veterans and staff.

And they made sure the gruelling challenge was well worth the effort by working just as hard to raise funds as they did throughout the run.

The cash will now go towards supporting younger veterans and serving personnel through Erskine’s Supported Transition Project.

For more information on Erskine, log on to www.erskine.org.uk