After Easdale branch had to cancel their usual fundraising events, including the annual sale and dance in Seil Island Hall, due to Covid-19 restrictions, branch member Willy Munro came up with an interesting challenge by way of compensation. He decided to take on a sponsored walk from Ellenabeich to Degnish, stretching over 25 miles.

 Fundraising quickly gathered pace, with a goal of £1,000 reached in only ten days. A total of over £2,200 was raised by the time Willy completed his ‘wander’ in October, climbing to £2,600 in the weeks that followed.

 The money raised will be shared between veterans charities including Erskine, Combat Stress, Poppyscotland and the SSAFA. 

The route, walked by Willy on Wednesday 7 October, went from Ellenabeich to Degnish via Ardmaddy, through the Pass of Melfort to Kilninver, then back over the Clachan Bridge to finish in Ellenabeich harbour square. For the final stretch and to cross the finish line, Willy carried the Royal British Legion Scotland Easdale Branch Standard.

 He also added to the fundraising buzz by asking people to guess exactly how long the walk would take him, with a prize of a special bottle of malt whisky for the closest guess. His final time was eight hours, eight minutes and 51 seconds.

 Willy’s son Niall is a soldier with the Scots Guard, currently based in Aldershot. Niall was part of a group that completed a 100-mile walk for the centenary of WWI, from Ypres to London, in 2018 – something that provided inspiration for Willy’s own fundraising jaunt.

 Local filmmakers GH Productions followed Willy on his wander and you can watch their short film about it at https://youtu.be/8tx1KADExVs 

Image courtesy of The Oban Times.