Sir Tom Hunter: Scotland can lead world’s child poverty battle

Sir Tom Hunter says Scotland can “lead the world in becoming the first nation to eradicate child poverty.”
Sir Tom with Yorkhill patient Lucy Hunter, 13 months who has a patient at Yorkhill where she received open heart surgery. Picture: TSPLSir Tom with Yorkhill patient Lucy Hunter, 13 months who has a patient at Yorkhill where she received open heart surgery. Picture: TSPL
Sir Tom with Yorkhill patient Lucy Hunter, 13 months who has a patient at Yorkhill where she received open heart surgery. Picture: TSPL

Speaking at the launch yesterday of The Kiltwalk 2016, at Scotland’s national football stadium Hampden Park, the Scottish philanthropist said that the absolute focus should be on ridding Scotland of children’s poverty.

The charity walk, which attracts more than 10,000 walkers, has raised more than £2.4 million since 2011. It has helped a range of charities including the Yorkhill Children’s Unit at the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow and Calum’s Cabin on Bute which provides respite for families of terminally ill children.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hunter, Scotland’s first home-grown billionaire, said: “It falls upon our generation to tackle this and tackle it we should; we are small enough, agile enough and committed enough to get this done.”

Hunter is underwriting the event to ensure all money raised goes to children’s charities across Scotland.

The charity walk is scheduled to take place at four locations in Scotland next year - Glasgow 24 April, Aberdeen 5 June, Speyside 14 August and Edinburgh 18 September.