If you asked me last year, ‘Martin, how would you feel about walking 18 miles in one stint, in one day?’, I would have reacted with some mix of shock, surprise, nerves, and – quite potentially – laughter.
Ask me today and my answer would be ‘yes, absolutely!’
Last year, I supported one of our many amazing volunteers to complete the Aberdeen Wee Wander- The Kiltwalk’s shorter, 3.7 mile walk from Crathes Castle to Banchory. My colleague, Fraser, and I were struck by the positive and inclusive atmosphere of the event and were inspired by those around us using a physical and fitness challenge to create a genuine impact for the charities they support, work, and volunteer for. We both crossed the line, high-fived the enthusiastic emcee, and agreed that we wanted to challenge one another, to put our efforts into action to support an organisation which means so much to us… CFINE!
I’m sure Fraser wouldn’t mind me saying that I don’t think either of us quite realised what we were agreeing to… there is quite a jump between nearly-4 and 18-miles! So, roll forward a year and we find ourselves signing up- the game is on, although more hesitantly than we excitedly planned a year prior!
The truth is, choosing to register for the Aberdeen Kiltwalk ‘mighty stride’ in 2024 was an extremely easy decision. The opportunity to participate in the walk to raise funds for an organisation which is so important and provides a lifeline to so many meant that I was presented with an opportunity I just had to jump (or rather, walk) at!
In preparation for the walk, and as reality dawned over the scale of the challenge, it was fantastic to get some practice under my belt to test my stamina and build up a sense of what walking eighteen miles might feel like (both on my own, for my own confidence, and alongside colleagues.) Everyone who participated gave themselves the opportunity to prepare and familiarise themselves with the challenge, and we put ourselves in the best position to make the Kiltwalk as easy as possible. A personal highlight for me, an 8-mile walk along the old coast path- from Greyhope Bay to Cove Bay and back, which provided our final proper opportunity to prepare, and provided some excellent views as well!
On the day itself, Fraser and I were joined by another of our colleagues, Will, to complete the walk. Sarah and Sam, other CFINE colleagues also completed the walk starting out from Duthie Park a little earlier.
The weather was great, the atmosphere was brilliant, and the number of other kiltwalkers taking on the challenge for charities of their choice was bigger than ever! Alongside the CFINE team raising funds, we extend a big thank you to everyone and anyone who raised funds for CFINE – including Hardies and Aberdeen University Student Association! It was great to chat with some of the other teams supporting us, and we are grateful of all the efforts by those teams.
The walk was challenging but it proved an enjoyable experience with great company, and a wide variety of different environments to walk through- along the old railway line to Banchory. Whilst a long day, in the end, we completed it!
I work within CFINE’s development team, as Sustainable Food Coordinator. I see first-hand, every day, the impact our services make to each community we work and collaborate with. The nature of my role – to coordinate Granite City Good Food – is one which is driven by working with partner organisations and making sure we are all playing our part to create a sustainable, healthy, food system and – importantly – CFINE exists to tackle the root causes of poverty in a meaningful and impactful way which works with and for communities rather than to them. The Kiltwalk has been a unique way for me to raise funds to support this essential work and, as well as a brilliant experience, is something I will consider again for the future.
If you are in any position to support our efforts, please do. You can find the Just Giving page here – https://www.justgiving.com/page/martin-carle-kiltwalk-2024 – and all donations would be gratefully received, and much appreciated!
