Saints hero Andy Webster put his best foot forward during a mini-Kiltwalk through Paisley to kick-off the club’s campaign to urge Buddies to sign up for this year’s virtual event.
Webster and his pal Paisley Panda, AKA community development officer Michael Campbell, visited some of the town’s most iconic sights - taking in Barshaw Park, John Neilson Institution, Fountain Gardens and Browns Lane - before ending their journey at the SMISA Arena.
They are trying to sign up as many Buddies as possible for their team ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’, in this year’s virtual Kiltwalk, with the aim of raising as much money as possible for the St Mirren Charitable Foundation.
Webby notched up 28 caps for Scotland during a career that included spells at Rangers, Hearts and Wigan before two seasons with the Saints.
Now part of the St Mirren setup and acting as the ambassador for the foundation and Kiltwalk team, he is hoping to recruit an army of volunteers to walk a massive 1877 miles as part of this year’s virtual event.
He said: “We want as many people as possible to get involved. It’s a brilliant way to get out walking and stay healthy but also to raise money for the foundation which will allow it to reach and help some of the vulnerable people within our community.
“Although we might not be able to all walk together in person, we can walk, run, skip, swim together as a virtual community and we want to get as many people involved as possible.
“We know that isolation and loneliness are so much more pronounced right now with everything going on, joining our Kiltwalk team will hopefully give people a goal and something to aim for.”
The St Mirren Charitable Foundation has been at the forefront of efforts to help those in need during the pandemic.
It quickly formed a partnership with groups across Renfrewshire to identify areas of need and who was best placed to help.
It’s link-up with the Star Project has seen thousands of meals delivered to people who need them most.
On top of their reactive work during lockdown, the foundation continues to run adult fitness and well-being courses such as Football Fans in Training and Buds in Bootcamp, along with literacy programme 4-4-2 which encourages children to read in exchange for tickets to future matches.
On Christmas day they hosted Festive Friends at Home, with volunteers delivering around 180 meals to pensioners.
This work is supported by grant funding and donations and that is why support for the Kiltwalk effort is so vital.
The foundation’s chief executive Gayle Brannigan explained: “We have big plans for this year, including introducing an addiction support element, as well as the roll out of football camps and more, but all of that work needs, bluntly, financial support.
“That is why I’m urging people to sign up and take part in the Kiltwalk for team ‘When the Saints go Marching In’. By taking part and raising money, you will be making a real difference.”
Sir Tom Hunter and the Hunter Foundation will top up any money raised by 50 per cent.
The Kiltwalk virtual weekend will be held between April 23 and 25.
For more information on how to sign up for team When the Saints go Marching In and receive a free entry discount code, email foundation@stmirren.com
