Walkers from Helensburgh and Lomond were among a record-breaking 10,063 Bravehearts who stepped out with pride on Sunday for the biggest ever Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk.

The Burgh and adjoining communities were well represented by people making the 23-mile hike from Glasgow to Balloch to raise funds for charities close to their hearts.

There was a carnival atmosphere as the walkers were waved off by rugby legend Doddie Weir who is battling motor neurone disease.

And the moment was extra special for Helensburgh's Michelle O'Donnell, for her little niece, two-year-old Lily, had been specially chosen to lead the field for a few token steps at the start.

Organisers chose Lily when they heard the sad story that she had lost twin brother Lachlan at five months.

Mum Cheryl, formerly of Helensburgh, gave birth to the twins prematurely at 25 weeks but little Lachlan did not survive.

Cheryl, who now lives in East Kilbride, did the Kiltwalk to raise money for Wishaw Hospital's pre-natal unit.

Also among the walkers were Maria Brabender and Hazel Stevenson from Helensburgh who were raising funds for SiMBA, which supports families affected by the death of a baby, and SAMH, Scotland's Largest Mental Health Charity.

Maria and Hazel featured in the Advertiser last month after they held a bumper fundraising night in the The Ashton bar.

Hazel and her husband Kerr tragically lost their baby girl Kiera at 18 weeks of pregnancy and SiMBA provided the couple with comfort and support.

After the walk, a jubilant Maria said: "It was our first Kiltwalk and we loved every minute.

"For both our charities SiMBA and SAMH we have raised - with contribution from Sir Tom Hunter Foundation - a total of £3560. A huge thanks to all who donated to our causes."

The women's efforts have been praised by Maurice Corry MSP who has submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament which congratulates them and commends them for the work they are doing for the charities.

Sharon Russell was walking for Glasgow Children's Charity (Schiehallion Ward) and her mother in law Margaret Devine was walking for cancer care after discovering that her friend's son William Young, aged six, had recently been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Sharon and Margaret are from Cove.

Meanwhile, three Helensburgh friends stepped out together for three separate charities.

Angela Devlin was raising money for Epilepsy Scotland, Hilary Sawyer was supporting Helensburgh and Lomond Autism Group and Jacqueline Leishman's chosen charity was Alzheimer’s Scotland.

Together they raised raised nearly £1,000 in total.

Three pals - Felicity Green, from Helensburgh, Nina Chapman and Brian Quinn, both from Dumbarton, walked for the Vale of Leven Autism and Aspergers Forum (VOLAAF) which runs the West of Scotland Autism and Aspergers Centre in the Renton.

They provide services for families affected by autism, by not only supporting the diagnosed child but the whole family.

The money raised will help to continue the services VOLAAF currently offer. This includes youth clubs, support meetings, toddlers groups, holiday play schemes, outings and training events.

VOLAAF is a small local charity, run by parents and carers of autistic children, with no paid members of staff. Fundraising events like this helps to support the charity and keep it going from strength to strength.

Nina, who helps run the charity said: "We were all broken but still smiling at the one mile to go mark.

"It took us a lot longer than everyone else - around 9 hours - but we got there and were determined not to give up as it was for a great cause.

"It was a brilliant day, the weather was good to us and the volunteers and event staff were all amazing.

"I will definitely give it another go next year.

Emma Ward, from Helensburgh, and her friend Justine Olsen, from Alexandria, chose to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) as they close friends and family that are affected by the disease.

Emma said: "We have been out getting as much training as we can to make walking a marathon as fun as possible."

The Glasgow Kiltwalk alone is set to raise more than £1.5 million and the 40 per cent top-up from The Hunter Foundation will take that to over £2 million. Every pound will go to the 600 Scottish charities taking part.

Malcolm Buchanan, chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Scottish board, said: “Well done to every walker, every volunteer, every supporter and indeed everyone involved in making today the biggest ever Kiltwalk.”