Angus residents have been urged to sign up to this year’s Arbroath Yomp, to help a pair of local disabled two-year-old twins walk freely for the first time.
It is hoped that many competitors entering the annual event will choose to support Ayley and Chloe Hirsch from Carnoustie, who were born with cerebral palsy. Entrants can donate their sponsorship money to any cause but the other officially-backed charity is the Woodlands Garden Trust for RM Condor.
This year the yompers can choose to set out from Inchcape Park in Arbroath or the other end of the nine-mile course at Easthaven car park and will pass their fellow participants near the halfway mark.
Ayley and Chloe face a life of immobility unless they undergo a highly specialised procedure to eliminate the pain and spasticity in their limbs. Although Ayley can walk using a specialised frame, sadly Chloe has no movement in her lower body.
Since The Courier began reporting on the sisters more than £5000 has been raised towards a target total of £80,000 to pay for life-changing surgery in St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.
Mum Averil Fleming and her partner Frazer Hirsch have been “overwhelmed” by the support which has poured in from the community. Averil said, “I think it’s really great that the Arbroath Yomp now walks both ways and I would really like to thank all those concerned for their support.”
Now in its fifth year, the yomp will take place from 10am on Sunday, April 3, with sponsorship forms available from Carpet Disco in the Millgate. Last year’s event raised over £30,000 for local organisations and charities, attracting more than 50 walkers to take on the nine-mile hike.
Organisers took inspiration from the famous 56-mile trek across the Falklands into Port Stanley by British forces during the 1982 conflict.
Major Charlie Breach of Arbroath’s 45 Commando said the Woodlands Garden Trust had been set up to create a quiet remembrance and reflection area within the grounds of the town’s RM Condor base. “It is fantastic that the Arbroath community is getting behind 45 Commando Group again and it is very much appreciated.”
Arbroath councillor David Fairweather said he is keen to see a record-breaking total for both causes.