AN IRVINE woman is doing her utmost to give back to a charity which is particularly close to her family's heart.

Kelly Marshall is due to take part in the Kiltwalk in Glasgow next month, to raise funds for the Soldiers', Sailors' & Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA) the armed forces charity.

In fact, Kelly is so compelled to give back to the charity, she has already signed up for all four of the Kiltwalks taking place across Scottish cities this year.

Each Kiltwalk has routes of three different distances: the Mighty Stride (22.6 miles), the Big Stroll (14.5 miles) and the Wee Wander (approx. 3-5 miles).

Not only will she be taking to the streets of Glasgow on April 30 - she will also take to Aberdeen (June 4), Dundee (August 20), and Edinburgh (September 17).

And why exactly is the charity so close to Kelly's heart? Well it is safe to say that her family have extensive links to the armed forces.

Both of her parents served in Army within the same corps and also first met while serving - though it was not quite a straightforward meeting.

Kelly, a facilities assistant, explained: “Both parents served in Army [Royal Army Ordnance Corps] and that’s where they met. Actually, it’s a bit of a strange story because they met in jail.

“My dad – Ralph Marshall or ‘Marsh’ for short – and some mates got drunk and stole a turkey from the cookhouse and ended up in the glasshouse, and my mum, Pamela Ward, was there for being AWOL!"

SSAFA first got involved in Katie's life some 23 years ago, giving back at one of the toughest times her family has gone through.

She said: "Dad did 27 years in the Army, and when he passed away in 2000 aged just 45, SSAFA really helped Mum out.

"She was without heating for almost a year, and SSAFA helped her to get a new boiler fitted, so I'm wanting to help out other Forces’ families like we were helped.”

For more information on SSAFA - visit ssafa.org.uk/.