Staff in the Finance Department at Falkirk Community Hospital have raised over £1,000 for Guide Dogs in memory of a former colleague.

Douglas Peden, a long-time supporter of Guide Dogs, was Financial Services Director in Falkirk Community Hospital at the time of his sudden passing in December 2011. Douglas was a prolific fundraiser who sponsored six guide dogs, one of whom was named after him. Framed photographs of the dogs adorn the Finance office in the hospital.

In memory of Douglas,and to honour the memory of his enthusiasm for Guide Dogs, Natalie Smith and Pamela Carson of the Finance team decided to arrange a fundraising walk. The recent Carse of Lecropt hike covered four and a half miles, and took in the Touch Hills, Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, as well as views of Ben Ledi and Ben Lomond.

The twenty-one walkers also raised funds through sponsorship, a dress down Friday, and a raffle of jewellery donated by Kathryn Thomson of Missy Magpie, and in total raised £1,160 for Guide Dogs Scotland.

Natalie and Pamela plan to make the walk an annual event and will vary its location so that as many of their colleagues as possible from Denny, Stirling and Falkirk can take part.