Funding bid for Inverness walking group
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A Highland group has taken more than 200 people on one or more of its free walks since it started in August last year.
Clarity Walk, set up by fitness professional Matt Wallace (28), from Inverness, said that he was delighted by the numbers of people who had joined them for a guided, phone-free nature walk.
Mr Wallace said: “Clarity Walk has had more than 975 attendees, and upwards of 200 individual people join us since August 2019 to take part in one of our walks. It is making a real impact.
“We have walked with a mixture of people who for various reasons felt they could come and get out on a walk. We have also worked with people of mixed abilities, including a group of adults with additional needs from L’Arche. Our aim is getting people out and about to enjoy a walk.
“The Highlands is a huge green space, in which we can enjoy a sense of calmness.
“We tailor our walks to make them suitable for the people attending. Walks generally last for an hour plus or minus a few minutes, depending on the group that is out walking on the day. We want the walks to be comfortable for everyone. And we end our walks with a cup of coffee or tea so that people can carry on the conversation that they have started on the walk.”
Mr Wallace explained how he got the word out about the newly formed organisation.
He said: “To get people to come along and join us we had a social media campaign and we produced a leaflet that has been distributed widely across the city, including in the Eastgate Centre, with GP practices and with Mikeysline.
“We haven’t received any grants or funding yet and it is mainly self funded by myself. Thankfully we do have business sponsors and people who donate but we need more support to continue our mission in the Highlands.”
Publishing the accounts for the first time, Mr Wallace said he wanted the organisation to be as open and transparent as possible.
He said: “All of our walks are offered for free. Up until now I have been able to fund these walks, but moving on it will likely be that we need to attract funding from charities and our own fundraising.”
