Last call for Half Moon charity walk entries

Thousands of entrants will take to the streets of the capital on 9 June for one of Scotland’s largest charity events, which has raised £14 million in the past six years.

Participants wear brightly decorated bras during the all-night event which sets off from Inverleith Park in the north of the city.

Entries for the 26-mile Full Moon are now closed, but organisers Walk the Walk are reminding interested parties that entries for the 13-mile Half Moon remain open until 27 April. Donations raised from the event go towards specialist breast cancer centres such as the Breast Cancer Institute in Edinburgh, Breast Tissue Banks including the centre in Dundee and Maggie’s Care Centres in Glasgow and Falkirk.

Funds also pay for specialist equipment such as scalp coolers, which help to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, which have been delivered to hospitals throughout Scotland.

The £16,000 devices are applied to the head before, during and after the treatment and reduce the blood flow to hair follicles, minimising the damage caused to hair by the drugs.

Hundreds of women from across the UK and beyond fly into Edinburgh Airport to take part in the event each year.

This year passengers taking part in the MoonWalk will be pampered with beauty treatments and offered food and drink vouchers as they await their return flights.

Staff from the airport will also take part in distributing supplies to the walkers throughout the night.

“The MoonWalk is a highlight in the Edinburgh calendar and attracts visitors from around the country who fly in just for the one night of the challenge; we want to show them our support,” said Gordon Robertson, head of communications at Edinburgh Airport.

Organisers are targeting those who have run short distant events in the past, but would be reluctant to run a half marathon.

“Maybe you’ve already run a 5k or 10k, but feel that running a full marathon is a step too far,” said, MoonWalk spokeswoman Sally Orr. “Signing up to walk the Half Moon distance could be the perfect challenge for you. But remember – no running allowed!”

To enter the Half Moon at The MoonWalk Edinburgh visit www.walkthewalk.org to register or call 01483 741430 for more information.