Fundraising warriors Emelie and George Willis have once again stepped out on their ‘soldier walk’ to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.
Five-year-old Emelie and little brother George, three, carried out their annual sponsored walk from their Campbeltown home to the town’s war memorial last Saturday.
They were joined by several friends and supporters at the cenotaph, where they completed as many laps of the monument as their little legs would manage.
They did so many circuits of the memorial that their parents Chelsea and John could not keep count, but they say it was quite a lot!
The pair had their own personal piper, armed forces veteran and friend of the family Charles MacLean, who played motivational tunes as the youngsters completed their laps.
This is Emelie’s fourth time completing the challenge and the second time George has joined in.
The pair carry out the walk in honour of their late grandfather Jackie Willis, who was in the Royal Irish Rangers, and their uncle Stuart Willis, who left the army last year after five years’ service with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 Scots).
The youngsters’ Granda Tommy and Granny Elaine, who joined them on the walk, said: “We are immensely proud of both Emelie and George raising money for such a good cause at such a young age.
“It’s amazing seeing the support they get from friends near and far and from businesses in the local community and Glasgow.
“We love watching how much fun they have getting excited for the walk and the joy for the last section of the walk when their friends join them for the laps round the memorial. You can’t beat seeing the giggles and smiles all round.”
With donations still coming in, the final amount raised has not yet been totalled but it will all be donated to the Poppy Appeal which supports armed forces members, veterans and their families.