A retired Royal Air Force Wing Commander from Glasgow is preparing to take on a 23-mile charity walk in support of a veterans’ cause that has been part of his family for more than 40 years.
David Tait, 46, will complete the ‘Mighty Stride’ from Glasgow Green to Loch Lomond on Saturday 26th April as part of this year’s Kiltwalk, raising funds for Erskine Veterans Charity.
The challenge is more than just a fundraiser for David, with both military service and supporting veterans deeply rooted in his family life.
He and his wife, Kelly Ann, first met as teenage cadets in the Royal Air Force Air Cadets in Johnstone. They both went on to pursue careers in the military, later training with the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron.
In 2003, David qualified as a Fast Jet pilot with the Royal Air Force. He served for 22 years before retiring with the rank of Wing Commander.
Kelly Ann went on to train as an Army officer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and is now a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. She currently commands the Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit at RAF Brize Norton, a tri-service unit responsible for testing the safe delivery of personnel and equipment from aircraft and helicopters.
The family’s link to Erskine dates back even further.
David first visited the charity in 1983, aged four, during a visit by Diana, Princess of Wales and King Charles III, who remains the charity’s patron. He still remembers meeting Princess Diana, a moment that began a long-standing connection with Erskine.
Growing up, he regularly visited the charity and saw the care provided to veterans, including some of the last survivors of the First World War.
Today, Erskine offers a range of services across Scotland, including care homes, assisted living, supported accommodation and activity centres. It also provides support for veterans living independently.
The connection runs through generations of the Tait family. David’s godfather, Andrew Robertson, served as chair of the Erskine board of trustees, while his late great-uncle, Colonel Derek Naismith TAVR, was involved with the charity during the 1970s and 1980s.
The next generation is now continuing that support, with the couple’s 14-year-old daughter, Abbie, volunteering on Saturday lunchtimes at Haig House in Erskine’s Veterans Village.
This will be David’s third Kiltwalk in support of the charity. Having completed the route before, he knows the challenge ahead.
He said: “Erskine has been close to my family’s heart for generations. I’ve seen first-hand the compassion and professionalism shown to veterans and their families. Military service runs through our household, but so does the responsibility to look after those who have worn the uniform before us.
“Walking 23 miles is a small challenge compared with the sacrifices made by our veterans. If I can help Erskine continue its work, every step will be worthwhile.”
Ian Cumming, Chief Executive of Erskine, said: “We are enormously grateful to David and his family for their continued dedication and support. The Tait family’s commitment both through military service and their support for veterans is truly inspiring.
“Fundraising efforts like David’s help ensure we can continue delivering daily care and support of the highest standard to veterans and their families across Scotland.”
To support David’s fundraising, visit: https://bit.ly/4sJu7g1.