Thistles shopping centre has initiated a unique community challenge as part of its Thistles 900 campaign, inviting individuals to collectively walk a remarkable 900km around the mall in honour of Stirling’s 900-year anniversary celebration. The campaign commenced with a lively ‘Monster Dash’ event where children, clad in spooky Halloween costumes, completed a lap of the shopping centre. Until April 2025, Thistles will be hosting special events for the community. Collaborating with Babes in the Wood, a local children’s social enterprise, the Thistles 900 campaign aims to engage families, friends, and local groups to participate in achieving this ambitious distance.
Babes in the Wood focuses on reducing landfill waste’s impact on the environment and supporting children from birth to 16 years by providing low-cost children’s items. Participants of the campaign had the opportunity to walk around the shopping centre, making pit stops at checkpoints for treats and surprises while raising funds for a noble cause. Gary Turnbull, Centre Director at Thistles, expressed his delight at the community’s immediate involvement in the Thistles 900km challenge, emphasising the goal to build connections and create lasting memories through collective efforts.
Linda Barrack, Managing Director at Babes in the Wood, shared her enthusiasm for partnering with Thistles, highlighting the community’s support for their initiatives since their establishment in 2018. The demand for essential children’s items has surged this year, showcasing the crucial role of community participation. Thistles encourages community members to walk a lap of the mall to contribute towards the 900km target. Participants can share their progress on social media by tagging ThistlesStirling on Instagram.
In conclusion, Thistles shopping centre’s Thistles 900 campaign presents a wonderful opportunity for the Stirling community to come together, stay active, and support a meaningful cause. By engaging in the challenge to walk 900km collectively, individuals have a chance to contribute to celebrating the city’s rich history and fostering community spirit.