Local Girls’ Brigade leaders take on walking challenge

Local Girls’ Brigade leaders take on walking challenge

1 August 2018

TWO Girls’ Brigade captains are striding out to mark the organisation’s 125th anniversary this year.

Kay Wightman, captain of 1st Saintfield GB and Tracey Davies, captain of Killyleagh GB, have started on a special ‘125 Challenge’.

They aim to walk 125 kilometres from Kilkeel to Comber, visiting all 26 GB companies in the Strangford and Mourne District over the next four days. They will also be joined at various points along the route by girls and leaders from all over the district. 

Kay and Tracey started out yesterday at Mourne Presbyterian in Kilkeel before making their way to Christ Church in the town and Kilkeel Presbyterian. 

It was then along the coastline to Annalong and Newcastle Presbyterian GB companies respectively, with the first day concluding in Clough.

Tracey said the 33 kilometre walk on day one was the longest route for them in the challenge.

“We started off in Kilkeel and ended up in Clough and that was our longest day of walking,” she said.“We are ready for any bad weather as Kay is a Duke of Edinburgh leader and has us well prepared.

“We will be staying overnight at various captains’ and leaders’ homes along the way and the various companies will feed and water us so it really is a major team effort.”

Tracey and Kay leave Downpatrick Baptist GB today and aim to visit companies at Ballynahinch Congregational, Edengrove and Magherahamlet by the end of the day.

Tomorrow will see the walkers visiting GB companies in Loughaghery, Cargycreevy, Trinity Boardmills, Carryduff Baptist, Carryduff Presbyterian and First and Second Saintfield.

On Friday, they will visit Granshaw, then it is off to Ballygowan, Raffrey and Lissara.

The final day of the challenge on Saturday will see them walk from 1st Killyleagh GB, to Killinchy, Kilmood, 2nd Comber and finally First Comber.

The duo have set a £500 target to be raised for the GB Northern Ireland Karwa School project in Uganda, with GBNI committed to raising funds to build a school and provide an education to the children in Kisoro District.

To donate to the sponsored walking challenge visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mk-wightman-1.

Kay and Tracey will be wearing trackers for GB members to keep up with their progress and updates will be posted on the Strangford and Mourne GB Facebook page — https://www.facebook.com/Strangford-Mourne-GB-1621355964585993/