Community supporters donned their walking boots at the weekend to raise money for two good causes in Angus.
In blustery but bright conditions on Sunday, more than 50 people took part in the Arbroath Yomp to raise funds for disabled two-year-old twins Ayley and Chloe Hirsch, from Carnoustie, and a remembrance garden for fallen comrades at RM Condor.
The yompers included the twins, big sister Lilly (6) and their mother and father.
This year, sets of yompers started from Easthaven car park and the other end of the nine-mile course at Inchcape Park and passed near the halfway mark.
Many competitors entering the annual yomp were raising money for Ayley and Chloe Hirsch, who were born with cerebral palsy and face a life of immobility unless they undergo a highly-specialised £80,000 procedure to eliminate the pain and spasticity in their limbs.
Although Ayley can walk using a frame, Chloe has no movement in her lower body. Mum and dad Averil Fleming (32) and Frazer Hirsch (26) took part in the Yomp with Ayley, Chloe, Lilly, and a band of family members, neighbours and supporters.
“It’s the first year we have taken part in the Yomp and it’s fantastic to see so many people coming out to support Ayley and Chloe,” she said. “It’s overwhelming and we really appreciate all the help we can get.
“It’s a great day for everybody with so many good causes benefiting. The fund-raising is going fantastically well we have raised £10,000 in six weeks so we’re delighted and we’ve got a very busy April with lots of events going on.
“We were quite nervous when we first came forward but the response has been overwhelming from Carnoustie, Dundee, Arbroath and other places. It’s been fantastic and there’s a great community spirit in Angus.”
Entrants could donate their sponsorship money to any cause but the other officially-backed charities were the Woodlands Garden Trust for RM Condor and the Arbroath community fireworks display.
Alan Russell from the RNLI in Arbroath set off a flare at 10am at Easthaven to signal the start of the fun before the competitors set off.
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Councillor David Fairweather who before his election was one of the Arbroath Business Association members behind the original yomp and has maintained involvement said he was delighted with the response from the Angus public.
“I was delighted to see the amount of people that were there today,” he said. “On the Arbroath side approximately £2000 has been raised, which is absolutely tremendous and I know some of that is going to the girls, and I know some of it is going to the Woodlands garden and of course our own community firework display.
“It’s amazing how people come together to help out for these things. I’m delighted for the girls that we have been able to use the Yomp for their benefit.”
Councillors Peter Nield and Peter Murphy were also among those taking part.
“It’s a good day and it’s a good turnout with a lot of support from Carnoustie for Ayley and Chloe,” said Mr Nield. “Raising funds for the children and the remembrance garden allows us to maintain the local link and the military link, which we always try to do.”
Yomp organiser and ex-Arbroath FC striker Jimmy Jack said, “Considering it was Mother’s Day and a Sunday we’re quite happy with the turnout.”
The idea of the first yomp the name comes from the Royal Marines’ word for a long march over rough terrain was to do something for the men of 45 Commando Group and 7 (Sphinx) Battery of 29 (Commando) Regiment of the Royal Artillery, as a gesture of thanks for what they have brought to Arbroath and out of respect for the difficult and dangerous job they do when they are posted overseas.
Last year’s event raised more than £30,000 for organisations and charities, attracting over 50 walkers.
Organisers took inspiration from the 56-mile trek across the Falklands into Port Stanley by British forces during the 1982 conflict.Stay up to date with the fund-raising efforts for the Hirsch twins at www.facebook.com/helpayleyandchloewalkCouncillor David Fairweather who before his election was one of the Arbroath Business Association members behind the original yomp and has maintained involvement said he was delighted with the response from the Angus public.
“I was delighted to see the amount of people that were there today,” he said. “On the Arbroath side approximately £2000 has been raised, which is absolutely tremendous and I know some of that is going to the girls, and I know some of it is going to the Woodlands garden and of course our own community firework display.
“It’s amazing how people come together to help out for these things. I’m delighted for the girls that we have been able to use the Yomp for their benefit.”
Councillors Peter Nield and Peter Murphy were also among those taking part.
“It’s a good day and it’s a good turnout with a lot of support from Carnoustie for Ayley and Chloe,” said Mr Nield. “Raising funds for the children and the remembrance garden allows us to maintain the local link and the military link, which we always try to do.”
Yomp organiser and ex-Arbroath FC striker Jimmy Jack said, “Considering it was Mother’s Day and a Sunday we’re quite happy with the turnout.”
The idea of the first yomp the name comes from the Royal Marines’ word for a long march over rough terrain was to do something for the men of 45 Commando Group and 7 (Sphinx) Battery of 29 (Commando) Regiment of the Royal Artillery, as a gesture of thanks for what they have brought to Arbroath and out of respect for the difficult and dangerous job they do when they are posted overseas.
Last year’s event raised more than £30,000 for organisations and charities, attracting over 50 walkers.
Organisers took inspiration from the 56-mile trek across the Falklands into Port Stanley by British forces during the 1982 conflict.Stay up to date with the fund-raising efforts for the Hirsch twins at www.facebook.com/helpayleyandchloewalkCouncillor David Fairweather who before his election was one of the Arbroath Business Association members behind the original yomp and has maintained involvement said he was delighted with the response from the Angus public.
“I was delighted to see the amount of people that were there today,” he said. “On the Arbroath side approximately £2000 has been raised, which is absolutely tremendous and I know some of that is going to the girls, and I know some of it is going to the Woodlands garden and of course our own community firework display.
“It’s amazing how people come together to help out for these things. I’m delighted for the girls that we have been able to use the Yomp for their benefit.”
Councillors Peter Nield and Peter Murphy were also among those taking part.
“It’s a good day and it’s a good turnout with a lot of support from Carnoustie for Ayley and Chloe,” said Mr Nield. “Raising funds for the children and the remembrance garden allows us to maintain the local link and the military link, which we always try to do.”
Yomp organiser and ex-Arbroath FC striker Jimmy Jack said, “Considering it was Mother’s Day and a Sunday we’re quite happy with the turnout.”
The idea of the first yomp the name comes from the Royal Marines’ word for a long march over rough terrain was to do something for the men of 45 Commando Group and 7 (Sphinx) Battery of 29 (Commando) Regiment of the Royal Artillery, as a gesture of thanks for what they have brought to Arbroath and out of respect for the difficult and dangerous job they do when they are posted overseas.
Last year’s event raised more than £30,000 for organisations and charities, attracting over 50 walkers.
Organisers took inspiration from the 56-mile trek across the Falklands into Port Stanley by British forces during the 1982 conflict.Stay up to date with the fund-raising efforts for the Hirsch twins at www.facebook.com/helpayleyandchloewalkCouncillor David Fairweather who before his election was one of the Arbroath Business Association members behind the original yomp and has maintained involvement said he was delighted with the response from the Angus public.
“I was delighted to see the amount of people that were there today,” he said. “On the Arbroath side approximately £2000 has been raised, which is absolutely tremendous and I know some of that is going to the girls, and I know some of it is going to the Woodlands garden and of course our own community firework display.
“It’s amazing how people come together to help out for these things. I’m delighted for the girls that we have been able to use the Yomp for their benefit.”
Councillors Peter Nield and Peter Murphy were also among those taking part.
“It’s a good day and it’s a good turnout with a lot of support from Carnoustie for Ayley and Chloe,” said Mr Nield. “Raising funds for the children and the remembrance garden allows us to maintain the local link and the military link, which we always try to do.”
Yomp organiser and ex-Arbroath FC striker Jimmy Jack said, “Considering it was Mother’s Day and a Sunday we’re quite happy with the turnout.”
The idea of the first yomp the name comes from the Royal Marines’ word for a long march over rough terrain was to do something for the men of 45 Commando Group and 7 (Sphinx) Battery of 29 (Commando) Regiment of the Royal Artillery, as a gesture of thanks for what they have brought to Arbroath and out of respect for the difficult and dangerous job they do when they are posted overseas.
Last year’s event raised more than £30,000 for organisations and charities, attracting over 50 walkers.
Organisers took inspiration from the 56-mile trek across the Falklands into Port Stanley by British forces during the 1982 conflict.Stay up to date with the fund-raising efforts for the Hirsch twins at www.facebook.com/helpayleyandchloewalk