Triple-amputee veteran taking part in Edinburgh Kiltwalk for SSAFA

01 September 2022

The Edinburgh Kiltwalk takes place on Sunday, September 18, and one of the many taking part to raise funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is Gary Jamieson.

While the Kiltwalk may pose relatively few challenges for most entrants, for Gary – 42 and from Strathaven – it will be a little more than a long walk in the park as he takes on the Wee Wander from Gypsy Brae to BT Murrayfield: he lost both legs and an arm in an IED attack in Afghanistan when deployed there with the Scots Guards in 2010.

Gary’s path to the Kiltwalk has not been without its difficulties, but with the support of wife Claire, and daughters Nikkole and Taylan – as well as SSAFA – he has made it.

On why he is undertaking the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for SSAFA, Gary said: “When I was injured, I was helped on my road to recovery by several charities along the way, and I’ve helped raise money for each of those charities over the years because my biggest fear is that an injured soldier would not get the same support that I received.

“SSAFA helped me with the support I needed to have my house converted to enable me to go home after I was discharged from hospital, supporting me with attachments and adaptations that let me drive again, giving me back freedom to live a normal life.

“SSAFA’s the main charity that covers all the Armed Forces, and I fell now that it’s the best one to support for our service personnel now and in the future, just as it has done for 137 years, because when you support SSAFA you know that you’re helping the whole military family.”

It is not just the individual fundraisers that make Scotland’s Kiltwalks the success they are, but also the generosity of Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation. Each penny raised for SSAFA and other charities will be topped up by 50% thanks to Sir Tom.