A CHARITY set up in memory of an Ormiston teenager who died in a road traffic accident last year is holding a sponsored walk next weekend in his memory.

Kieran Swinton, 19, would have been 21 next Saturday (June 17) and friends and family are planning a “walk down memory way” from Musselburgh Lagoons to Ormiston Park to mark the occasion.

Kieran’s family set up the A Gift from Kieran charity to remember the teenager, who was described by his mum Amanda O’Neill as an “extremely kind, caring and loving young man”.

The charity aims to help local community groups and organise events which give local communities the chance to come together.

Amanda, chairperson of the charity, said: “Our charity was set up in memory of Kieran, who died in an RTA at 19 years old. As a family we were completely devastated but found comfort in the kindness that Kieran has showed in his life.

“He was an extremely kind, caring and loving young man who would take the shirt off his own back if it would help someone else more.

“With this memory of him, my family and I were keen to create a legacy that will allow us to ensure Kieran is always remembered. I don’t want anyone to forget him or the amazing nature he had.

“We wanted to do something positive with our grief and continue with our lives as he would have wanted. Starting a charity that benefits the local community was an obvious choice for us. We get to raise funds in his name and help to develop and invest in the local community.”

The charity asked for feedback from the local community about projects it could get involved with and, as a result, has worked with Active Schools East Lothian to set up Ormiston Football Development Club.

Kieran was a keen footballer and the charity wanted to help give local children the encouragement to take part in the sport in a non-competitive environment in the hope they would move on to join community clubs, as well as providing players with extra practice sessions.

Sessions at the club begin on Monday, June 26, when they will be held for P4 to P7 youngsters between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

On Wednesdays, from June 28, there will be two sessions – one for P1 to P3 and one for two-year-olds to five-year-olds where parents must be in attendance as well. Both session run from 6pm to 7pm.

The first six sessions at Ormiston Park for all the children will be free of charge, with a £2 per session charge after that period. Anyone interested in registering their children to attend should email agiftfromkieran@gmail.com The charity is also sponsoring Ormiston Gala on Saturday, June 24, and members will be there for people to find out more about what they do.

To get involved with the charity and its events, go to www.agift fromkieran.co.uk