Bonnyrigg Stroke Survivor and Pals Team Up for Edinburgh Kiltwalk to Pay Tribute to Friend 06 August 2026 A group of friends are getting together to raise money for one of Scotland’s largest health charities after a tumultuous 2025. A Bonnyrigg stroke survivor and his pals are teaming up for the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to pay tribute to their friend and raise money for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Gordon Robb, Bobby McGinty, as well as their family and friends, will take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in September to raise money for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and pay tribute to their friend Frank Robertson. Frank died of a stroke days after his 63rd birthday in September just weeks after Bobby, who lives in Forth, had a cardiac arrest while on holiday in Orlando with his family. And Gordon Robb, of Bonnyrigg, had a stroke just weeks later in September after being unable to read his phone. Just giving everything that had happened to us, Frank had a stroke, I had a stroke and Bobby had a heart attack that raising money for CHSS made sense. I was also receiving support from CHSS at the time, Bobby had been in contact with them too. Gordon, 63, said: “I don’t think I fully appreciate it yet because I consider myself pretty lucky. “It was a Saturday morning and I was starting the winter garden tidy up. I just came in and I heard my phone bleeping a few times. I could see things clearly on the screen but I couldn’t interpret the words. I just could not understand the messages it was as if the language on my phone had been changed. It was bizarre. “I went to bed and it wasn’t until the next day I spoke to someone from a medical point of view and I ended up at A&E that evening.” A scan quickly identified that Gordon had suffered an ICH (Intracerebral Haemorrhage), a stroke caused by a bleed in the brain. After he started his recovery he met with Bobby and the pair discussed the potential for a fundraiser that supported a cause close to them all. Gordon said: “Once I’d recovered a bit I met Bobby and we were chatting and he made the suggestion of doing something for Frank. “Just giving everything that had happened to us, Frank had a stroke, I had a stroke and Bobby had a heart attack that raising money for CHSS made sense. I was also receiving support from CHSS at the time, Bobby had been in contact with them too. “So we decided we’d just do it. There was an old group years ago that raised money called the Mighty Hikers so we decided to resurrect that group and it’s snowballed from there. “There are wives, partners, relatives all taking part so I think there’s going to be about a dozen of us going.” Bobby McGinty had his cardiac arrest while on holiday in Florida in August last year with no warning. Bobby, 65, said: “I just collapsed at bedtime and thanks to prompt intervention from my wife, Lorna, daughter Megan and son-in-law Scott giving me CPR I wouldn’t have survived. “I had two further heart attacks in hospital and multiple organ failure and was given days to live, however thanks to my general fitness and health I fought back and had a Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) operation on 12th September, with a triple bypass and two grafts. “It’s been and still is a struggle at times but I’m gradually returning to a “normal” lifestyle. I don’t think I will ever fully get over it all and my family found it all more traumatic than me. The care given by the Advent Health Care hospitals was second to none and I owe them all a massive debt. “To do something for Frank, Gordon and others with CHSS’ conditions was a no-brainer for me. I’ve been involved in fundraising for charity for a long time and I was a founding member of the Forth’s Gentle Giant Mighty Hiking team. “As well as raising great sums of money for charity it kept us fit and healthy and we get to see the beautiful scenery of Scotland. We have 12 members walking the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, two doing the Glasgow half marathon, one doing the Lincoln 10k and one doing the 2026 London Marathon.” Elaine Thomson, Community Events & Corporate Fundraiser at CHSS, said: “We wish Gordon, Bobby and all of the Mighty Hikers the very best for the Edinburgh Kiltwalk. “Their story is a fantastic example of the dedication and commitment made to fundraising and the opportunity it has to bring people together. “The Kiltwalk offers a range of distances for all ages and abilities and it’s a fantastic opportunity to take in some beautiful views of Scotland while raising money for a fantastic cause.” To support Gordon’s fundraiser please go to www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-robb-1771441163826. If you’re inspired, sign up for the 2026 Edinburgh Kiltwalk. If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice, information, or access to our services in your local area, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.