To have been nominated was a shock and an honour, there was no way I thought we could possibly win it. The whole night for me was surreal, surreal in a lovely way.
We arrived at the Burns Supper a tad rushed and stressed. The journey had been much longer than planned and we checked into our hotel at 7pm, when the event had started. I still needed to get ready. We must have looked some sight standing in reception covered in snow, and little worked up. There were quite a few people standing in their kilts and dresses, probably headed the same way as us.
We left to head to Glasgow at about 1.30pm, as soon as I'd got home from work. We were unfortunate that when we hit Aberdeen we were stuck behind a wide load meaning that it took 40 minutes to get through Aberdeen, Dundee was tricky too as we hit Friday rush hour, another 40 minutes to get through. Perth to Stirling was an okay part of the journey. But, once we hit Stirling, it was very slow! Stirling to Glasgow was mostly spent driving between 1st and 2nd gear. The delays in Aberdeen and Dundee meant we got into that area at the wrong time. The snow was falling quite heavily. The lovely invention of sat nav sent me off at the wrong junction once we were in Glasgow, and then sent us back onto the motorway. I was wishing at this point I knew my way around Glasgow. The lovely sat nav even sent us on a wee detour to get to our car park. Glasgow roads were chaos with the snow, cars couldn't make it up hills. I did turn the air blue in the car. Sorry Mum!
We gabbed our things from the car and ran to the hotel, managing to get covered in snow. Thank goodness our outfits were in suit carriers. Once checked in I grabbed the quickest shower, applied my make up and threw on my clothes. I didn't get a chance to sort my hair. Just 25 minutes after checking in off into the lift we went, which seemed to take an age to come. It stopped at the next floor to us and another 4 people tried to get in, one gent with a painting. This meant the lift was too heavy and wouldn't move. The last 2 people to get in, stepped back out, but the lift still refused to move. At this point, I couldn't stand and wait any longer, I think those people were heading to the Burns Supper too, and they must have thought I was crazy, I was out of the lift, running towards the stairs. I ran down the stairs, followed by Ross, out the hotel and down the road to the junction. When I turned Ross wasn't behind me. I was thinking 'oh no, he's fallen and I've been running on'. But he appeared, complaining about his laces. The run was back on down the street to the Radisson. Lots of people were stood around, relaxed chatting, while I was still concerned about being late. After grabbing a glass of fizz and getting rid of my jacket, I discovered that there was lots of people late because of the snow and travel disruption, so the event was delayed until 8pm. Phew! I was still shaking and managed to spill some fizz down my face and onto my dress.
I was just thinking that I need to calm down and get myself together, when I was approached by the lovely Leah Forbes. She told me she had a gift for me and handed me a small box. She had remembered how I'd admired her necklace and pendant at Dundee, and got one for me. From being stressed at being late, I was overwhelmed at receiving this beautiful gift from a fellow Kiltwalker.
Luckily I managed to drink my fizz and start to relax and socialise. It didn't seem long and we were being piped into the reception room, I was surprised at the sheer size of the event. Glass of wine poured and the banter at the table started. There was welcome speeches, a game and a theatrical address to the haggis, followed by a delicious meal. It all seemed to be going very quickly - time for the awards. Firstly, the people who had taken part in all 5 events went up to receive their awards, we had quite a few from our table alone. Reading the programme, I realised our category was up next. I started to get a little nervous, despite having thought up until that point there was no way we would win.
Then I heard them announce 'The Simpsons'! I thought the drink must have gone to my head, Ross was getting up, I got up and followed to the floor, the tears were falling. Once on the floor I realised they were playing the 'Simpsons' theme tune. That helped to break the ice, while I posed for photo, all the while thinking 'oh no' I'm crying. The lovely gentleman from 'Field and Lawn marquees' presented us with our award (now I think it was the same guy that was in the lift earlier). From then on, the night was dreamlike, surreal. We were both so overwhelmed. Ross and I both tried sending the girls texts to let them know, but the mobile reception wasn't great.
Then, it was onto the next category - for Outstanding Physical Effort - Junior. Logan's Tartan Turtle Army were lucky again when Holly Myrvang Brown was announced as the winner. At just 6 years old Holy wasn't there, but her mum Eli went up to receive her award. Holly was born the same week as Isla, and Holly walked at every event this year. The award for Outstanding Physical Effort - Adult went to John Grigor. John was once a 40-a-day smoker, but this year went onto complete all five walks, as well as the walk in New York and the Kilt trek to Machu Picchu.
I don't think there was a dry eye in the house at the next award for Kiltwalk Inspiration, Gareth Cook walked Speyside last year for SANDS in memory of his son who passed away just 6 days before his due date. Gareth stepped in for his wife who had broken her ankle. Gareth was one of the last to finish at Speyside, soaked in blood due to severe psoriasis causing his skin to blister and bleed. Scott Bain won volunteer of the year - Scott is the first and last person to stop working at each event. The Unsung Hero Award went to the Chivas Team, for their enormous support at every Kiltwalk event. Team members Alan and Tudge are regular Kiltwalker's and always smiling away.
The next category was Fundraiser of the Year, our very own Jock McKay was up for an award. Jock is an all round great guy, always smiling. He was inspired to join the Kiltwalk because of his stepson Kai who suffers from Hypo-Plastic Left heart Syndrome, but he joined our team in 2013 to walk in Glasgow and again in 2014 walking at all events, and even walking an extra event to support Alan Price who completed Speyside a few weeks prior to the actual event as he was away on holiday. We are tremendously honoured that Jock walked with us for two years and in complete understanding at his choice of walking for Yorkhill this year. We still see him as part of our team! Unfortunately Jock didn't win the category, but 2 out of 3 aint bad (!) for a small charity from Speyside! The winners of the category was Leah Forbes and Team Aine - worthy winners. Leah's daughter Aine spent a lot of time in Edinburgh Sick Kids hospital, and Leah wanted to give something back. With the support of her team, they raised an incredible amount, but more importantly embody the spirit of a team. Leah also introduced the idea of collecting for local foodbank's at each Kiltwalk, an initiative I hope carries on. Team of the Year went to Team Ailsa, some people might be aware of little Ailsa and the drive to get more donors on the Bone Marrow register, after she needed one to treat her Aplastic Anaemia,
After a photo of all the award winners, I popped out of the room to get a breather. It wasn't really a breather, it ended up being a chat to other fellow Kiltwalkers. Then it was time for dancing with our friends. The Awards night was over so quickly. Luckily we got a chance to chat some more in the hotel bar, before hitting the hay sometime after 5am.
We are all still overwhelmed and incredibly honoured to have received an award. The Kiltwalk has become so important to us, because of the great work that it does for Scottish children, but also for connecting us with so many people who also want to help children. We have listened to so many stories of children and families suffering, and really every single person who takes part in an event is doing something special. Well done every single one of you.
See you at Glasgow on the 12th of April?!!
Photographs courtesy of Shaun Ward Photography.
