They swam, they trekked, they cycled and they….pickleballed, all in the name of charity!
For the second year in a row, East Dunbartonshire’s Provost Gillian Renwick and Depute Provost Colette McDiarmid took on a summer sporting challenge and this year they raised £600 for East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid(link is external).
Generous family, friends, colleagues and local people supported the dynamic duo (and a few other Councillors) as they completed four challenges over the summer:
- A Community Swimathon in the area’s three leisure centres - Allander Leisure Centre, Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre and The Leisuredrome in Bishopbriggs. Local people were asked to donate lengths and they amassed a magnificent 30,904 lengths, smashing the 25k target
- A 9 mile Walk with members of Walk, Run Cycle East Dunbartonshire that took in part of the John Muir Way.
- A Pickleball Tournament with a local group at the Allander Leisure Centre as well as Councillors Cumming, Marshall, Smith and Williamson
- An 18km Cycle with the Council’s Outdoor Education and Awards Officer from Kirkintilloch Marina to Twechar, stopping to climb Bar Hill, before cycling back to the Marina. (Councillor Jim Gibbons stepped in for the Provost for this event due to illness)
Provost Renwick said,
The weather was not on our side but we thoroughly enjoyed completing the challenges, some of which were pretty tough. We had great fun along the way, particularly learning pickleball.
Huge thanks to the local groups who helped us complete our challenges, to everyone who swam a length and to those who were able to donate.
“We chose East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid as they provide vital support and safe refuge to women, children and young people in our communities who are experiencing domestic abuse. There is still time to donate to Women’s Aid on our JustGiving page. Thank you.”
Gail Cook, Office Coordinator at East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid said,
We are absolutely delighted with the donation and so grateful to Provost Renwick and Depute Provost McDiarmid for thinking of the families we support and for supporting us in such an active way over the summer.
Donations like this make a significant difference in the lives of families impacted by domestic abuse. These funds enable us to offer vital activities and support that empower survivors to rebuild their lives. Thank you.”
