With stunning scenery across every inch of Clackmannanshire, it’s no surprise that keen walkers are embracing what the county has to offer, writes Michelle Henderson.

From lengthy nature walks to the ten peaks of the Ochils, many walking orientated groups have taken it upon themselves to go the distance, in an attempt to keep fit and walk the paths of nature.

One group, who have taken this in their stride, is the Clackmannanshire Hillwalking Club - a group of individuals with a keen passion for exploring the great outdoors; although, as well as taking advantage of what the county has laid bare they have been raising money for charity in an effort to give back.

Group leader Roxanne Kerr recently spoke about the team’s latest challenge and explained that this is not the first of its kind.

She said: “We do a charity event every year. We walked the ten peaks of the Ochils a few years ago, which took 10 hours, to raise money for a girl in Sauchie who had Edwards syndrome. The money bought her a standing chair so she would be able to stand up and develop her muscles and bones. Last year we did Hadrian’s Wall which took us four days.” In their latest venture, carried out last Saturday (22 August) 14 club members undertook a 10 hour walk, beginning in Clackmannan at 8am and ending in Fischross at 5.40pm – however, in a bid to stand out their normal attire was replaced by superhero costumes for their annual superhero themed walk.

Speaking of how they decided upon the lengthy walk Roxanne admitted it was a joint effort.

She said: “We usually have monthly meetings; I initially came up with the route and came up with suggestions and allowed others to come up with a few suggestions.

“I came up with a way through Clackmannanshire that other people can use in the future. We want to walk through every major town and villiage in Clackmannanshire, staring in Clackmannan at the Town Hall and finishing at Fishcross at the Ochil Hills Mountain Rescue Centre.” As well as raising money from their walk, the Clackmannanshire Hillwalking Group has also been using social media, in particular Facebook, as a useful tool to encourage users to help raise their total even higher.

Roxanne said: “We have also been doing other things to raise money. We have posted images on Facebook, with our outfits on, telling people that if we reach a certain level of donations we will release the next superhero image.” The club has raised £850 and have donated all proceeds to the Ochils Mountain Rescue Team as a thank you for all their help and assistance.

Roxanne said: “The Ochils Mountain Rescue Team have done a lot for us over the last year.

“As we are based in Clackmannanshire we go up the Ochils quite a lot and they have helped us with navigation and have been kind enough to let us use their facilities. This has allowed us to train other members so they can take them out on group walks.” Kev Mitchell, team leader of the Ochils Mountain Rescue Team, expressed his delight towards the group’s efforts and admits that without such help they wouldn’t be able to function.

Kev said: “We are delighted with the support that the Clackmannanshire Hillwalking Club is giving the Ochils Mountain Rescue Team.

“The team is made up of local hillwalkers and mountaineers on call 24 hours a day and all are volunteers. We rely on the goodwill and support from local groups, without whom we could not continue to offer the service that we do throughout the year in any and all weathers.

“To maintain our building, equipment and vehicles costs a significant amount of money each year and we are indebted to the ‘Superheroes’ of the Clackmannanshire Hillwalking Club and the public in the Hillfoots for their help. This event comes at a crucial time for the team as we have just started our new garage which we have funded entirely from donations and fundraising so as usual the ‘Superheroes’ timing is perfect. Our thanks and appreciation go to them all.” Through determination and more importantly team work, the Clackmannanshire Hillwalking Group have pulled together to raise vital funds for an organization that is completely reliant on donations to carry out its lifesaving work – once again showing the county’s forever generous side.