East Dunbartonshire provosts raise £600 for women's aid

For the second year in a row, Provost Gillian Renwick and Depute Provost Colette McDiarmid took on a summer sporting charity challenge.

This year, they raised £600 for East Dunbartonshire Women's Aid.

They were supported by family, friends, colleagues, and residents as they completed four challenges over the summer.

The first challenge was a community swimathon in the area's three leisure centres - Allander Leisure Centre, Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre, and The Leisuredrome in Bishopbriggs.

People were asked to donate lengths and they amassed 30,904 lengths, smashing the 25k target.

The second challenge was a nine-mile walk with members of Walk, Run Cycle East Dunbartonshire that took in part of the John Muir Way.

A pickleball tournament was the third challenge with a group at the Allander Leisure Centre as well as councillors Cumming, Marshall, Smith, and Williamson.

The final challenge was an 18km cycle with the council's outdoor education and awards officer from Kirkintilloch Marina to Twechar, stopping to climb Bar Hill, before cycling back to the marina.

Councillor Jim Gibbons stepped in for the provost for this event due to illness.

Provost Renwick said: "The weather was not on our side but we thoroughly enjoyed completing the challenges, some of which were pretty tough.

"We had great fun along the way, particularly learning pickleball.

"Huge thanks to the local groups who helped us complete our challenges, to everyone who swam a length, and to those who were able to donate.

"We chose East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid as they provide vital support and safe refuge to women, children, and young people in our communities who are experiencing domestic abuse."

Gail Cook, office coordinator at East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the donation and so grateful to Provost Renwick and Depute Provost McDiarmid for thinking of the families we support and for supporting us in such an active way over the summer."