City pretty in pink as lights set to show walk support

Published on Thursday 17 June 2010 09:53

MORE high-profile buildings than ever before will lit up in pink across the Capital to show their support for this weekend's MoonWalk.

The annual charity walk will see more than 10,000 women and men pound the streets wearing decorated bras to raise vital funds for breast cancer patients across Scotland.

But the pink bodies swarming through the streets won't be alone in adding colour to the city, with Edinburgh Castle, the National Gallery and Jenners also getting into the spirit of the walk by being bathed in pink.

Organisers said a record 20 buildings and businesses across the city would light up for Saturday's MoonWalk, up from 15 at last year's event.

Nina Barough, founder and chief executive of breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, which organises the MoonWalk, said: "Edinburgh looks even more beautiful when bathed in pink and we appreciate the support that is given to us by local companies and organisations."

The route for the fifth Edinburgh MoonWalk will start and finish at Inverleith Park, taking in Arthur's Seat, the city centre, Leith and Portobello Promenade along the way. Walk the Walk is hoping to raise more than 2 million from the event.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who will take part, said: "This year's MoonWalk Edinburgh is very special as my mum and daughter Rosie are walking with me, and I can't wait for them to experience the fun and the emotion of the night."

Freelance radio and TV presenter Martel Maxwell, who completed her first MoonWalk with her mum Anne last year, added: "My mum was touched by breast cancer six years ago so the cause means a great deal. The women and a few men involved make it a night to remember with a real 'we're in this together' attitude."

The MoonWalk, which will have a "Scottish Mardi Gras" theme this year, has already raised more than 10m. The money raised this year will be donated to breast cancer causes, including the expansion of a programme putting scalp coolers in hospitals across Scotland, which help to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatment.

The city's John Lewis store illuminated its windows in the MoonWalk's trademark pink in support of Walk the Walk yesterday. The branch has also been offering a special service in its haberdashery department to help walkers customise bras.

Walkers will be tackling either the half MoonWalk (13.1 miles) or full MoonWalk (26.2 miles).

Walk the Walk is urging anyone who would like to help out, particularly from 6am to midday on Sunday, to call 01483 741330 or visit www.walkthewalk.org