HERO baggage handler John Smeaton is to lead thousands of people in the Great Scottish Walk in Edinburgh later this month.
"Smeato", who hit the headlines after helping to foil an attempted terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport last year, agreed to take part in the walk to support a friend who is walking for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
He will be at the head of the thous
ands of participants starting at Meadowbank Stadium.
And it is understood he will be walking the Golden Mile at Meadowbank alongside his friend, a young girl from Glasgow who suffers from cystic fibrosis.
June Ross, the charity's fundraising manager for Scotland, said: "We were thrilled when John agreed to take part.
"He met a young girl who has cystic fibrosis at a bravery awards recently and he has been supporting her ever since, so he is really coming along for her. I'm sure it will help encourage people to come along though, and it is great that he's giving up his time to do this.
"We will have around 50 walkers overall, but it's impossible to say how much will be raised. The Great Scottish Walk really is a fantastic day out for all the family and we would just love as many people as possible to get sponsored to walk for us and help see off cystic fibrosis."
Launched in 1998, the Great Scottish Walk has been an annual event in Edinburgh for the last ten years.
More than 6000 people are expected to take part, walking one, six or 12 miles to raise money for more than 100 charities.
Smeato will be joined by a host of people impersonating the Proclaimers, after the Edinburgh band gave permission for their image to be used to support the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
Brothers Charlie and Craig Reid are long-time supporters of the charity, but due to a tour of America are unable to attend.
Instead, a special Proclaimercise warm-up featuring their music will help walkers prepare.
The RNIB has also put together a team of 84 walkers who plan to cover a total of 500 miles, in reference to the band's famous song.
And Team Proclaimers will be getting into the spirit of the event by wearing the duo's trademark black-rimmed glasses.
The walk will be officially opened by Lord Provost George Grubb and events on the day include a warm-up with top personal trainer Tracy Griffen.
The George Watson's Pipe Band will lead walkers to the starting point whilst live music and entertainment will be provided around Meadowbank by Chaplins Disco Bus, Capital Concert band – a 30-piece wind ensemble – and an oompah band.
Organiser Priscilla Turner said: "It is absolutely amazing to see the walk keep growing year after year, and I think the great thing about it is everyone can take part, regardless of their fitness levels or age. It is a real family event, and I think that is why it continues to be so well supported."
STEP OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSETHE annual charity walk and run season is well under way. Here's what's coming up:
The Moonwalk, The Meadows, midnight, June 14. The annual breast cancer awareness event will see 12,000 bra-clad women march 26 miles through the city.
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www.walkthewalk.orgSick Kids Teddy Toddle, Meadowbank, 2pm,June 15.Hundreds of youngsters will complete a 150-metre toddle for the Edinburgh Sick Kids Friends Foundation.
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www.edinburghsickkids.orgThe Great Scottish Walk, Meadowbank, 10.30am to 4pm, June 22.More than 600 competitors are expected to walk one, six or 12 miles for charity.
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www.greatscottishwalk.comThe Great Wee Scottish Walk, Fettes College Grounds, 11am to 2pm, June 15.A junior version of the main event for those aged two to 16.
NSPCC Big Bike Ride, Holyrood Park, 10am until 2pm, June 29.A family-friendly cycle ride through Holyrood Park for ChildLine Scotland.
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www.nspcc.org.uk 