Johnston Carmichael’s Dundee team are putting their best foot forward this weekend to raise crucial funds for Street Soccer Scotland, by taking on all 26 miles of the city’s Kiltwalk.

The accountancy and business advisory firm is a gold sponsor of the Kiltwalk, which takes place in Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow and has raised £33.9 million for more than 3,000 charities to date.

For the second year running Johnston Carmichael’s Dundee team is supporting Street Soccer Scotland, a charity close to their hearts. Business Advisory Partner, Head of Rural and Dundee Office Head, Jenn Stewart said:

“We’ve supported Street Soccer Scotland since it first came to Dundee, and we helped introduce their team to people within the city. It’s such a fantastic initiative and we’re keen to support charities within the communities that we live and work in. There are many areas of deprivation across Dundee and Street Soccer Scotland does so much to challenge public perception around social issues and breaks down stigma for those struggling.”

Street Soccer Scotland brings people of all abilities and backgrounds together to play football. Many of those participating face challenges in their personal lives such as drugs, alcohol and homelessness.

A 2022 survey conducted by the charity found that 32% of Street Soccer Scotland players in Dundee experienced drug and alcohol problems prior to involvement with the charity and this reduced to 12% after joining. A similar reduction was seen with homelessness, where 24% of players experienced this before involvement, dropping to 9% after.

Street Soccer Scotland Change Centre Manager, David MacKenzie said:

“Our programmes have been running in Dundee for almost a decade, providing hope, structure and routine to participants, allowing them to build the foundations for positive changes in their lifestyle.

“We continue to grow our services in partnership with local and national organisations, and we’re delighted to be part of the Dundee Kiltwalk this year.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have so many fantastic supporters and money raised from their efforts can have an immediate impact on our players, who continue to strive for positive change in their lives.”

Last year Dundee Office Head, Jenn Stewart, took on the challenge of dribbling a ball for 18 miles for the Virtual Kiltwalk and at the same time took part in Street Soccer Scotland’s Big Dribble Relay, which saw 65 people dribbling a ball over 230 miles across Scotland. Jenn explained:

“I wanted to add something to make the Kiltwalk harder, so more people would sponsor me. I decided I’d dribble a ball, which was challenging because I don’t play football. The easiest part was across The Tay Bridge because I could bounce it off either side and the hardest part was in Tentsmuir Forest where dogs kept stealing the ball.”

The Dundee Kiltwalk Mighty Stride route begins at Westsands in the town of St Andrews, weaving across the Tay Bridge and through Tayport village where Street Soccer Scotland will be at pitstop three, 15 miles into the walk. The stop will include a mini games arena for anyone whose feet are still nimble at that point. The walk ends at Monifeith in Dundee.

In addition to funds raised for Street Soccer Scotland, miles walked by some of the Johnston Carmichael team will count towards The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RSABI) #Challenge125. It aims to encourage people of all fitness levels to get outside and enjoy the Scottish outdoors whilst raising funds for RSABI. Johnston Carmichael’s Kiltwalkers will help the charity clock up kilometres for its overall target of 125 000km.

After the Dundee walk, Johnston Carmichael staff head to Edinburgh for the final Kiltwalk event of the year on 18 September. With 39 employees already registered for the Edinburgh event, the company expect its biggest turnout yet and hopes to reach its overall target of attracting over 100 walkers from its 13 UK offices for 2022.

Johnston Carmichael has supported the Kiltwalk, Scotland’s favourite mass participation event, since 2016. So far, in 2022 the firm has raised nearly £12,000 across all of the Kiltwalks. 

To sponsor Johnston Carmichael’s Dundee team taking part in the Kiltwalk this Sunday, visit the Just Giving page, here.