Charity walk to fund memorial bench

TWO grandchildren of a well known Annan man are getting ready to complete a ten mile sponsored walk to raise money for a memorial bench in his honour.

Sisters Amber Bowman and Eddi Louise Smith will walk from Caledonia Park, Gretna, to Annan Town Hall on Friday May 26.

They are doing the fundraiser in memory of their papa William James Smith ‘Billy’.

Billy lived in Annan his whole life. He was a taxi driver for a local firm for many years and did the Annan Academy school run.

He passed away in March aged 84, following a long battle with cancer.

Amber said: “The walk is to raise funds for the memorial bench, which will be placed down by the Everholm beside the river.

“The reason we are walking from Gretna to Annan was more because of my memories with my papa.

“We’d go to Costa at the Gateway a lot and that was our sentimental time together, and I thought the walk could reflect our memories and conversations while driving to and from our little lunch dates.

“I have been in contact with the council for a few weeks. They gave us the option of the Everholm, it’s going to be a lovely place to sit with a nice view.”

Amber added: “We are doing it on the 26th of May. We have raised £900 so far. We have just under £500 still to raise.

“People have been really lovely so far.”

You can donate to the bench fundraiser online at gofundme.com/f/memorial-bench-in-honour-of-my-papa