2023-06-07T15:28:01+00:00

Mother and daughter duo complete Kiltwalk Wee Wander

A mother and daughter have their feet up for a well-deserved rest after completing the Wee Wander for Friends.

A huge thank you goes out from us to the 63 Kiltwalkers who completed the challenge at the weekend raising funds for Friends.

Stacey Russell, 32, took part in the charity walk with her nine-month-old daughter Piper in memory of her mum, Gwen. They were accompanied on the 3.7 mile walk by Arlo, their Tibetan terrier, as well as her boyfriend’s sister Rachel and her daughter Emmie, who were also supporting Friends, and Rachel’s mum Fiona.

The intrepid team walked in the glorious sunshine from Crathes Castle all the way to Bellfield Park in Banchory, with Stacey and Rachel raising over £1,150 in the process. And all the funds they raised will go to Friends, thanks to their sponsors and The Hunter Foundation.

“We were walking for an hour a day in the run-up to the big day, which is quite a way for Piper,” said Stacey, who lives in Dyce and works as a self-employed beauty therapist.

“We lost my mum Gwendolyn Russell in January last year from an aggressive brain tumour.

“She was the best mum, wife and grandma we could ever ask for. She was always here when we needed her and I think you don't realise how much someone does for you until they are no longer with us.

Stacey and her mum Gwendolyn

“When she got her diagnosis in November 2021, all she kept asking was if we were all okay and she asked me to look after my dad.

“She was a childminder and loved her kids. She was always out doing things with them.

“The month before she died, I found out that I was pregnant with Piper. She's my first child and mum kept asking If I was pregnant, like she knew. So it was lovely to be able to tell her our news before she passed.

“The care that she received at Roxburghe House was outstanding. They did everything they could to make sure her time with them was as comfortable as possible.

“Nothing was too much to ask for - they even used all her favourite products and put her perfume on when she wasn’t able to do these things for herself.”

With most of the totals in, 30 of the 63 walkers raised £13,000 with a further team of around 30 also tackling the event as part of their year-long challenge in aid of Friends and Vine Trust. We hope to update you on that challenge soon!

- If you’d like to add to Stacey and Piper’s total (with Arlo), their JustGiving page is here.

- Or if you’re feeling inspired yourself, you can find out how to support Friends with your own fundraising here.

What's going on