Fundraisers are tickled pink by Moonwalk success

Published on Monday 21 June 2010 10:57

Warm weather sees 10,000 join breast cancer Moonwalk

THE streets of Edinburgh were in the pink as thousands of people took part in the fifth Edinburgh Moonwalk.

Organisers have hailed Saturday's event as the best ever, with more than 10,000 people taking part in the walking challenge to raise money and awareness for breast cancer causes.

And the warm weather saw plenty of people turn out to support the walkers, with crowds cheering from the streets, and residents shouting encouragement from their windows.

Traditionally participants, including men, wear decorated bras as they walk either 26 or 13 miles, and this year's Mardi Gras theme saw walkers decorate their bras with feathers, flashing lights and flowers.

Among those taking part were public health minister Shona Robison and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who said: "What an incredible night. The atmosphere was inspiring and uplifting."

Walkers passed a number of iconic Edinburgh landmarks that had been bathed in pink light in honour of the event, including Edinburgh Castle, the Monument of Queen Victoria, the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters, Lloyds on The Mound, Waverley Court, The Balmoral Hotel, Jenners and John Lewis.

Heather Elshout, 47, of Mayfield, who was taking part for the first time, said: "It was really wonderful, and the atmosphere was so friendly. My feet are aching but it was absolutely worth it."

Cathie Fleming, 50, of the Canongate, decided to take part as she lost both her parents and her best friend to cancer, and admitted there had been very emotional moments.

"I was fine for most of the event, but there was a man in front of me at part of the course who had a picture of his wife on the back of his T-shirt, and that just brought it home to me."

Walk the Walk, the grant making charity behind the event, had raised over 600,000 form the walkers before they even reached the start line, and it is hoped that this years' event will ultimately raise over 3 million.

Nina Barough, founder and chief executive of Walk the Walk, said: "It is very special to see so many people uniting against breast cancer...and of course this year had the added joy of just perfect MoonWalking weather."