6000 people pound the streets of Capital for Great Scottish Walk

AROUND 6000 people took to the streets of the Capital for the Great Scottish Walk to raise money for charity – with airport hero John Smeaton leading the way.

With overcast skies threatening rain, the walkers began their journey yesterday morning, to benefit more than 100 charities.

The participants gathered at Meadowbank Stadium before a group parade to Holyrood Park, where the 12-mile trek began.

Two other walks – for six miles and one mile – were available for different levels of fitness.

Baggage handler John Smeaton, the hero of the attempted terrorist attack on Glasgow airport last summer, was the special guest, leading the walkers from Meadowbank Stadium alongside a young girl from Glasgow who suffers from cystic fibrosis.

Two of the cast of River City, Claire Knight and Jenny Ryan – better known to the soap's viewers as Iona MacIntyre and Tina Hunter – took part to raise funds for the Royal Blind School.

Long-time supporters of the event, brothers Charlie and Craig Reid, were absent this year, but a special "Proclaimercise" warm-up was featured to help the walkers prepare.

George Watson's College Pipe Band led the walkers to the starting point, where music was provided by live bands and a DJ.

Tracy Rendall, 40, from Craigentinny, took home the fancy dress prize along with her family for the second year running.

The family all dressed up as superheroes to raise money for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association, a charity close to their hearts.

Husband Stewart, 43, dressed as Mr Incredible, while Meg, seven, Fin, five, Beau, four, and Jes, three, also took part.

Mrs Rendall said: "Our son Beau had spina bifida so the charity is very close to our hearts. We hope to have raised £1200 this year. The walk was great fun and we all enjoyed it very much."

Members of the North Edinburgh branch of Ageing Well were also out in force.

Robina Brown, 60, the group's project assistant, said: "We try to promote healthy activities for older people and this was an opportunity to do that."

"We had a wonderful time seeing so many people enjoying themselves and helping keep fit at the same time."

Anne Leburn, 61, from Morningside, was walking to collect funds for Alzheimers Scotland. She said: "It was great fun and nice to walk around the city.

"It's also good to raise money for a worthy cause."

Other walkers included Golden Oldies – a group from Braeside House care home on Liberton Brae – and city-based ex-soldier Steven Waterson, 35, who had a stroke in 2003 and walked in aid of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.