“We’re going to be hospitalised from hilarity!”
That’s what happens when five close friends, who don’t get to meet up as often as they would like, decide to embark on the litter matter of a 117-mile walk together. As you do.
Sarah Brown and a group of celebrity pals set out from North Queensferry on Monday to walk Fife Coastal Path for Theirworld, a charity which aims to give children the best start in life.
The hikers included Great British Bake Off and QI host Sandi Toksvig and her wife Debbie, international best-selling author Kathy Lette and actress and author Arabella Weir.
They started off in North Queensferry and will end five days, and lots of chat, later in Newport on Tay.
The idea came from Sarah, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, with the aim of raising £20,000 for her Theirworld charity.
With Arabella a trustee, Sandi an ambassador and Kathy on the advisory board, Sarah added: “They have all been really supportive.
“They have all been involved in it for a long time.”
She stressed the vital work Theirwork does in bringing education and skills to those children who otherwise may not have the best start in life.
With some of its early projects having their roots in Fife 15 years ago, she said it was lovely coming back to take on the hiking challenge.
Already more than £15,000 of the £20,000 target has been raised.
The group, having done 11 miles, stopped off for lunch at Aberdour’s Sands restaurant.
But where was Kathy?
“She’s our fastest walker and we’re a bit too slow for her, so she shot off ahead,” revealed Sarah.
When she did arrive, she admitted having lost her way, a bit, but had clocked up 17 miles.
Calling for haggis to sustain her, Kathy added the group would be hospitalised by hilarity, as the trip progressed.
And for Sandi, who’s been in training by “eating cake”, it was a welcome return to the kingdom following the runaway success of her keynote speech at this year’s Adam Smith Foundation Festival of Ideas.
On Tuesday the group will meet up with staff and supporters of the Cottage Family Centre before a stroll along Kirkcaldy High Street to the Harbourmaster’s café in Dysart.
Day three will see them head through Elie, St Monans and Pittenweem for a fish supper at the Anstruther Fish Bar.
They hope people will come out to say hello en route.
Donations can be made online at or in the walkers’ collection buckets.
