Members of Tranent Day Centre have raised £1,400 by ‘walking to Loch Lomond’. . . without leaving their base!

They are taking part in a group walking challenge – covering the same distance from the centre to Loch Lomond (85 miles) – by using pedometers to track their steps around the centre.

The centre has about 40 elderly members who, if they are able, walk around their Sanderson’s Wynd facility at every opportunity.

It has taken them four weeks, but they’ve now reached their 85-mile combined target. . . so have now started the walk ‘back’!

Shona Sibley, 59, is a staff member at the centre and organised the ‘Walk With Us’ challenge.

She said: “We’re always trying to raise funds for the centre to help pay for some of our events like Christmas parties. We also want to encourage our members to keep fit, to keep limbs moving and stay active so this was a great way to do both at once.

“The response from the members has been incredible – I was actually quite surprised at how well they’ve responded to it. Every day they come in and they’re all asking for the pedometer so they can get walking and add to their step count.

“Those who have donated have been excellent too, the amount we have raised is incredible and we’re really grateful for the donations.”

After completing the distance to Loch Lomond, members and staff celebrated with some Prosecco.

And Shona was hoping to put on a similar celebration when they finished their journey.

She said: “We’re now covering the distance back from Loch Lomond and when we’re finished we’ll have some sort of celebration to mark completing it. Everyone has done so well so far and they’re all loving doing it so it seems right that we should celebrate their hard work when they finish.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal should contact Tranent Day Centre on 01875 444711.