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Charities across West Dunbartonshire are thanking the generosity of a Scots entrepreneur and philanthropist for throwing them a cash lifeline.

Sir Tom Hunter has given almost three quarters of a million pounds to help the country's charities keep afloat while normal fundraising dries up as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The move comes after this month's Glasgow Kiltwalk, which is underwritten by The Hunter Foundation, was postponed due to the virus.

This was a blow to many charities as the event is a key source of fundraising for them.

However, organisers urged participants to keep fundraising and an incredible £720,000 was collected for charities.

Sir Tom has now announced he will double the funds raised instead of his planned 50 per cent increase.

That brings the grand total to a huge £1.4 million

The cash will support hundreds of charities including Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, Beatson Cancer Charity, amputee support organisation Finding Your Feet, and Calum's Cabin, which organises breaks for children with cancer and their families.

Among recipients in West Dunbartonshire are Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) which runs Robin House in Balloch and Vale of Leven Autism and Aspergers Forum (VOLAAF).

This week Nina Chapman, charity secretary at VOLAAF, said the news was "absolutely fantastic" because their funding had completely dried up.

She added: "We are entirely self-funded and in the current situation we cannot get out to raise funds."

"Every year, the kiltwalk brings in around £7,000 and our running costs are £18,000.

"We are entirely self funded, we have no paid staff, and in the current situation we cannot get out and about to raise funds.

"As a charity, we have massive overheads to pay. It's a bad situation."

CHAS challenge events assistant, Charlie Leavy, said: “We are absolutely delighted and extremely grateful to hear that Sir Tom Hunter has announced that all money raised by Kiltwalk fundraisers will now be doubled.

"Keeping the joy alive is at the very heart of everything we do at CHAS and knowing each of our fundraisers will receive a 100 per cent top up is such welcome news, especially at this very challenging time.

“The Kiltwalk is a hugely significant event in the CHAS calendar and we are so grateful to all our supporters.

"Last year we had 554 fundraisers taking part in Kiltwalks across Scotland for CHAS, raising an incredible £220,000 for children with life-shortening conditions and their families across the country.”

The was Glasgow Kiltwalk was due to take place on Sunday April 26.

Aberdeen's, planned Kiltwalk for June 7 has also been postponed but the Dundee event on August 16 and the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on September 13 are currently still going ahead.