Two Ayrshire sisters have walked 15 miles through Loch Doon as part of the Virtual Kiltwalk weekend, raising a combined total of over £400 for Ayrshire Cancer Support.

Dawn-Marie Armour and Caroline Wright planned to do the Glasgow Kiltwalk before it was cancelled due to coronavirus back in April.

To honour their miles and to raise awareness of the Ayrshire charity for which Caroline, who lives in Kilmarnock, works as a complimentary therapist, Dawn-Marie and Caroline set their sights on the Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend which ran from September 11-13.

Cumnock Chronicle:

While on their Saturday stroll, they bumped into some kind-hearted locals who boosted their funds – including a local postie and Brian at the Roundhouse Café who offered the siblings tea and coffee on the house.

Dawn-Marie, who lives in Symington and works for East Ayrshire Council, said: “We started at the car park and walked seven miles to the castle then a wee bit further so that on the return journey we could make up the 15 miles. Everyone passing by were waving from their cars. We didn’t expect donations at all.

Cumnock Chronicle:

“We started doing training before April and last weekend we went to the Isle of Cumbrae to do 10 miles round the island so I’m glad we did that.

“I wasn’t sure if my legs had 15 miles in them but I proved myself wrong.”

The sisters say they have been bowled over by the kindness of strangers and that catching up over some beautiful scenery was invaluable after a tough six months.

Dawn-Marie added: “The kindness all round made us both feel proud to be human. We are so relieved that our legs carried us all the way to the end safely with only the last two miles in the pouring rain.

Cumnock Chronicle:

“What a wonderful walk to remember forever.”

If you’d like to donate to Ayrshire Cancer Support, click here