SARAH Johnson and her sister Sophie became the poster girls of the independence movement on the night of the referendum result in 2014, when pictures and film of them defiantly waving a saltire in Glasgow’s George Square – while refusing to be intimidated by a Unionist mob – went viral.

Now Sarah has started to walk the 400-plus miles from London to Glasgow to raise money for food banks in the city and keep the momentum going for Scottish independence.

She is aiming to raise £20,000 through a crowdfunding account at https://www.gofundme.com/2m32fv8 – where she raised almost £500 before walking a step.

Yesterday she set off from London, planning to make the journey in 10-hour stages, with the aim of joining the Rally for Independence on September 17.

Sarah wrote on her crowdfunding page: “I’m trying to raise money for Glasgow food banks, which have become a disgrace to our society.

“The reason this means so much to me is because the City of Glasgow is my home. On September 18, I am proud to say that Glasgow voted Yes to independence in order to help bring people out of poverty.

“Similarly, the whole of Scotland unanimously voted to remain within the European Union. Yet to be pulled out of the European Union against our will is a complete and utter shambles. This can only mean that to stay within Britain, the use of food banks will steadily become the norm.

“I strongly believe that Scotland, through independence and remaining part of the European Union, can prosper as a nation and prevent this from happening.” On referendum night, the Johnsons stood their ground as anger boiled around them in George Square.

The atmosphere was so much different a year later, when they returned to the square to address the thousands gathered there for the Hope Over Fear rally.

Last year, the sisters were recognised for their campaigning efforts when they received the “rising stars” award at the inaugural “Margos” ceremony, organised by Edinburgh Women for Independence in honour of the late Margo MacDonald.