From My Feet to Their Seats

Walking 65 Kilometres to give schoolchildren the chance to experience the magic of the Edinburgh International Festival.

This August, I turn 65 — and as a keen supporter of the Edinburgh International Festival, I want to mark this milestone in a meaningful way.

Throughout July, I’ll be walking 65 kilometres — one for each year of my life — to raise funds to provide free tickets to the Festival for schoolchildren who might not otherwise get the chance to experience the arts.

This cause is deeply personal to me.

When I was 10 years old, I was fortunate to attend a free performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in Oban. That single experience in 1970 lit a fire in me and sparked a lifelong love of the arts. It opened a door I didn’t even know existed — and it’s a moment I’ve never forgotten.

Today, with arts and music education facing increasing cutbacks across the UK, far too many children are missing out on experiences like that. So this year, I’m walking to help change that.

Every step I take is a step toward opening theatre doors, lifting curtains, and offering seats to the next generation of dreamers and thinkers. The Edinburgh International Festival has the power to inspire, to broaden horizons, and to change lives — and with your help, we can make sure more children get to experience that magic.

Please sponsor me, and help bring the wonder of live performance to children who really benefit from it.

All funds raised are in aid of Edinburgh International Festival and their Discovery and Participation activities working with schools, young people and communities. Charity number: SC004694.