A CHARITY that has raised nearly £500,000 to help groups across East Lothian has appointed two new ambassadors.

The Walk With Scott Foundation (WWSF) has welcomed Laura Hardie and Sean McPhee on board.

The duo follow in the footsteps of Tom Shearer MBE, who worked in local government in East Lothian for more than 30 years and was appointed as the charity’s first ambassador in May.

Colin McGinn, vice-chairman of Tranent-based WWSF, welcomed both Laura and Sean.

He said: “It is vital that WWSF has eyes, ears and voices all over the county so we can maximise our presence and impact in our community.

“We stated back in May that Tom Shearer’s appointment would be followed by others and we are proud and excited to welcome Laura and Sean as our new ambassadors.

“As our community opens up, WWSF will be stepping up our presence to support great causes and great people across East Lothian.

“This will start in earnest with the resumption of our annual walk on September 18 and our WWSF Ball in November.

“With Tom, Laura and Sean supporting our existing board and our tremendous group of ‘Scotters’, WWSF will be a formidable force for good.”

Laura, who lives in Tranent, has a professional background in events management and fundraising.

She was “really honoured” to take on the role and said: “Having been involved in various significant fundraising campaigns, I hope I can use my skills to help raise awareness of the work WWSF does and help raise funds so we can continue to help so many in East Lothian.

“I’m really excited to get started in my new role to help support our local community.”

Meanwhile, Sean, who is originally from Prestonpans but now lives in Edinburgh, has been involved with WWSF from the beginning through family ties with founder Scott Glynn, who died at the beginning of last year.

Sean, who previously organised the group’s successful golf day at Dalmahoy, said: “It’s a great honour to be asked to be a WWSF ambassador and I can’t wait to start my new role promoting the foundation and helping with our fundraising events.

“Joining an already strong team of people running and supporting the foundation, I believe we will go from strength to strength.”

Scott Glynn founded the Walk With Scott Foundation in 2013 as a way of marking his 50th birthday.

The former Ross High RFC president decided to walk between each of East Lothian’s six rugby clubs – a distance of more than 50 miles – and play a game of rugby at each of the grounds.

Find out more at walk withscottfoundation.co.uk