Whether juggling family and work commitments to provide care a few hours a week, or caring 24 hours each day, if you provide regular help and support to a partner, relative or friend because they cannot manage without your help, then Carers Link is here for you.
In East Dunbartonshire 1 Person in 8 is a Carer.
Carers Link was absolutely delighted to receive a cheque for £370 from one of our Carers, Stuart, and his friend Barry who recently walked the West Highland Way to raise funds for ourselves and for Cystic Fibrosis. Many of their sponsors also ticked the Gift Aid box enabling us to claim back an additional 28p for every pound raised!
Our very grateful thanks go to both of them for walking the 109 miles in all weathers to successfully reach Fort William and for then collecting in all the sponsorship monies owed. Thanks are also due to their friends, families and colleagues who generously parted with their cash!
If you are thinking of walking the West Highland Way, why not Help Us Help Carers and raise vital funds by being sponsored to walk all - or even just part - of the route?
“My name is Gerry and I have been a carer for many a long year. In September 2008 I decided to find out if I could become a volunteer with Carers Link and I was then accepted. In March of this year I noticed an appeal asking folk if they would take part in a fund raising walk of the West Highland Way in aid of Carers Link, either the full distance or just a section, and I opted for the latter.
Having walked sections of it in the past I decided to try the first section from Milngavie to Drymen, so on Thursday 21st May 2009 my lovely wife dropped me at the start and I set off. The variety of trees, colours and sounds were amazing all the way to Carbeth, from where the outlook opened out and the views became more panoramic. The Campsies were on my right, giving me a view of the distinctive volcanic plug that is Dumgoyne, and to the north-west were Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps. Passing the Beech Tree Inn, which welcomes walkers, I was sorely tempted to have a “refreshment” but I resisted or I might still be there!
After just over 4 hours and 20km (12 miles) I reached Drymen, sat on the grass propped against a tree and took off my boots. Ahh Heaven! When my good lady wife came to pick me up she said she recognised my feet sticking up with steam rising from them. I felt so good and so blessed with the day, the ideal weather and the magnificent wonders of creation. I will do this section again. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who sponsored me.”
We would like to thank Gerry very much for being sponsored for Carers Link – his walk raised a fantastic £152.30 for us.
