MoonWalk money is out of this world

Published on Saturday 20 December 2008 18:37

THE Edinburgh MoonWalk held earlier this year to raise funds for breast cancer research and treatment has raised a record £2.7m, with some money yet to be collected.

More than 12,000 walkers stomped through the night around the marathon-length course, an event of which Scotland on Sunday was the media sponsor.

The money raised in Scotland counts toward a total of 9m raised in the UK, another annual record for the popular Walk the Walk British charity.

A spokeswoman said: "We have had a very successful year. This year Walk the Walk has broken all records by raising a staggering 9m in 2008. The third MoonWalk Edinburgh has so far raised an amazing 2.7m and it keeps going up."

Les Snowdon, editor of Scotland on Sunday, said: "We are delighted that record amounts were raised in Scotland this year and thank every one of the thousands of people from all across Scotland who took part. We are proud to be able to continue our association for the 2009 event."

Next year's fourth Edinburgh MoonWalk will take place on Saturday, June 20, but will start in Inverleith Park rather than the Meadows. The booking website is expected to go live soon. Thousands of walkers, dressed in trademark bras, will gather at 8pm before the midnight start.

During this year's event, landmarks along the 26-mile course were lit pink to show support for the walkers.

Walk the Walk has raised more than 45m for cancer charities. Some of this year's total went toward a new Maggie's Centre at the Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow and the Breast Cancer Institute of Edinburgh's Western General Hospital. Funds were also spent on providing scalp coolers in hospitals throughout Scotland.

Nina Barough, who started the Walk the Walk charity, was named Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards.