Santa steps in early as walkers ready for festive charity hike

Published on Tuesday 21 October 2008 09:50

IT may be a little early for delivering Christmas presents, but the Santa suits are already being pulled on by walkers across the Capital.

The suits are being handed out in an effort to make this year's Edinburgh Christmas Walk one of the most colourful yet.

The ever-popular walk through the city is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and organisers hope to make it go with a ho ho ho.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust – one of more than 20 charities set to benefit from the event – is offering Santa suits to the first 50 people, adult or child, to sign up. It is hoped other walkers will follow suit when they join the walk through the city centre on Sunday, December 7.

Emma Templeton, five, and her brother Josh, four, of Davidson Mains, are among those already getting into the spirit.

They, along with mum Katy, 37, and dad Chris, 39, were among the first to sign up.

The family are walking to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, a cause close to their hearts after they discovered that, at just six weeks old, Josh had the life-threatening lung condition.

Katy said the family were looking forward to the walk and helping to raise vital funds for medical research.

"When Josh was born we knew absolutely nothing about cystic fibrosis," she said.

"Luckily for him, we found out he had it relatively early, which meant he started treatment straight away. By supporting the trust, we have a chance of finding a cure for much of the condition.

"All children with it deserve that."

Walkers of all ages are invited to join the walk, along either a 15 or seven-mile route, in aid a charity of their choice, or simply for fun.

Organiser Terry Crossley said: "We want all people to join us and make it a day to remember."

The walk encourages people of all ages and abilities to stroll through the city at their own pace, leaving from Melville Street and finishing on Castle Terrace.

As in previous years, fancy dress is being encouraged to promote the fun element of the walk, with festive outfits particularly encouraged this year.

The first Christmas Walk was organised by The Evening News in 1968.

This year's is sponsored by city-based airline flyglobespan which is giving free flights to the top three fundraisers.