"Oor Kiltwalkers" are THE Perfect Partnership

After the excitement of the Aberdeen Kiltwalk last weekend, it was time to kick back and enjoy a night at The Scottish Charity Awards last Thursday night.

The Awards, organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) aim to recognise the life-changing work of charities, community groups and individuals dedicated to making Scotland a better place.

It was a night where every charity in the room was a winner, regardless of whether they got the top award or not, as every cause deserved to win.

There’s so much to do in The Kiltwalk world, we don't often get the chance to "lift our heads up and look around", so the night provided an excellent opportunity to appreciate what some of the 45,000 third sectors organisations provide across this small country of ours.

I was aware of the figure I'm about to quote. However, every time I hear the third sector’s turnover is £4.9bn, a figure that has doubled over the last decade and one that is greater than Scotland’s world renowned Food and Drink Industry, I'm astonished and somewhat saddened.

It saddens me that in the year 2014 our most vulnerable people have to rely so heavily on voluntary organisations or charities to fund them due to continued public funding cuts, growing poverty and inequality.

It really does put into perspective the importance of The Kiltwalk, our events and the hundreds of miles walked by Oor Kiltwalkers.

The Kiltwalk were the winners of the 2014 Perfect Partnership award, where the “Perfect Partnership” was our partnership with The Sunday Post, which created a captivating campaign to encourage people to take part in one of a number of sponsored walking events held across the country last year.

As we all know, our campaign smashed its £1m target, ensuring more support for children with life-threatening illnesses or from disadvantaged backgrounds received our support.

It was great to receive such an award, however for me, the "Partnership Award" extends to our partner charities and the people who have all the magical Kiltwalk Dust and make it all happen. The magical dust is created by the hard working Kiltwalk Team, who work tirelessly behind the scenes. However, what makes all this possible is the "Perfect" Partnership we have with Oor Kiltwalkers, without whom none of our growing achievements would be possible.

Today's picture was taken in advance of the results being announced last Thursday and includes most of what is the "Kiltwalk Team" including Oor Trustees. So on behalf of us all, can I ask you all to put your right arm over your shoulder and give yourselves a huge pat on the back as it’s all Oor award.

Other winners on the night were:

Gail McKeitch, who won the Charity Champion Award, a volunteer branch officer for the National Autistic Society in Ellon. Gail has two sons with autism and her energy, expertise and tireless fundraising makes a crucial difference to the daily lives of people affected by autism in the area.

The Caravan Project picked up the award in the Celebrating Communities category. The Caravan Project provides a one-week respite holiday to families living in poverty in the north-west of Glasgow. For these families a holiday is not a luxury – it is a much-needed break from the challenging circumstances they face at home, and for many it will be their first ever holiday.

The Cracking Campaign Award was won by Barnardo’s Scotland, Aberlour Childcare Trust and Who Cares? for the jointly run The Coalition of Continuing Care which campaigned for better support for care leavers in the Children and Young People Bill. Working together they secured the biggest change in support for care leavers in a generation.

The Sporting Chance Award was deservedly won by Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled. Ravelrig offer people with mental, learning, physical or emotional disabilities the chance to learn to horse ride for free and enjoy the benefits connected with the sport. It’s entirely volunteer run – with a team of 120 people giving freely of their time and skills to make the service available.

The People’s Choice Award went to Fife Gingerbread, a small grassroots organisation who, for nearly 30 years, have strived to improve the lives and futures of disadvantaged lone parents and families in Fife. They provide vital support at a time when poverty and welfare reforms are having a major impact on so many disadvantaged communities.

And finally the Charity of the Year 2014 Award went to Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre provides free, high-quality creative activities for young people in Glasgow. They aim to create unique, exciting theatre that releases young peoples’ potential, expands imaginations and inspires change in communities. This year their ambitious new programme has seen over 500 young people participate.

It was a marvelous night enjoyed by all, just wish you'd all been there with us.