25 September 2006
Charity gets into its stride
thanks to Graham's
Local dairy sponsors Forth Valley Giant Stride celebrating 30 years of The Prince’s Trust. Graham’s, the family dairy, is to sponsor the Forth Valley Giant Stride, one of 10 mile-long walks taking place across Scotland to celebrate 30 years of The Prince’s Trust. The funding pledged by Bridge of Allan-based Graham’s will help the charity cover the costs of staging the event.

Around 600 walkers are expected to take part in the Forth Valley Giant Stride, joining 10,000 people of all ages walking a mile simultaneously throughout Scotland to raise public awareness of the work of the Prince’s Trust, and finishing with a giant birthday party in each area.

Taking place on Sunday 1 October, from 2-4pm, the Forth Valley walk will begin at the Tolbooth in Stirling and end at Kings Park, where local radio station Central FM will help the party go with a swing. The crowds will be entertained with games and live entertainment, including singer Lauren Tilly, of ‘Stars in their Eyes’ fame, and dancers from Stageworx. There will also be birthday cake, drinks and balloons for the first 500 walkers.

The whole community, from youth groups, students and schools, to church groups and local companies, is being invited to join in and walk one mile accompanied by Dollar Academy pipe band and Alloa Bowmar pipe band, to demonstrate that every young person’s adult life starts with that first difficult stride, that first difficult mile and that The Prince’s Trust is there to help them on that journey.  Carol Graham, marketing director for Graham’s, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our support for the Giant Stride which is sure to be a fantastic day and will see the whole community come together for an extremely worthwhile cause.”

A spokesperson for The Prince’s Trust said: “By participating, walkers will show their support for the aims of the Prince’s Trust – to help young people overcome their problems and get their lives working. Community awareness should lead to further funds which are urgently needed to continue and expand our work with young people in Scotland.”

The youth charity will also hold mile long walks in Oban, Dunfermline, Loch Lomond Shores, Edinburgh, Strathclyde Country Park, Paisley, Inverness, Dundee and Aberdeen. The public can show their support by asking friends and family to sponsor their Giant Stride. Free registration, sponsorship forms and further details are available at www.princes-trust.org.uk/giantstride
or Tel: 07766 55 8207.

The Prince of Wales set up The Prince’s Trust in 1976 because he wanted to help young people in the UK. In 30 years, The Trust has helped over half a million young people and continues to support 100 more every day. The Prince’s Trust Scotland needs to raise £4 million every year to continue its work.

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