Celebrating our magnificent MoonWalkers!

Thousands ‘Swing Their Tartan’ to support cancer charity

Thousands of women and men wearing bras decorated with a “Swing your Tartan” theme Power-Walked through the streets of Edinburgh at midnight, raising money and awareness for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.

Among the throng was Walk the Walk Founder and Chief Executive Nina Barough CBE, who appeared on stage before the start of the walk (above).

Wearing decorated bras adorned with all things Scottish – from Highland Coos to Thistles, Saltires to Scottish food, plus of course, lots and lots of tartan – walkers set off from Holyrood Park at Midnight to take on a quarter, half, full or double marathon, raising money and awareness for breast cancer. Before the first step had even been taken, more than £400,000 had been raised.

These amazing people joined in a huge hooley led by rock Ceilidh band Bahookie. Women, men and children from the age of ten upwards showed off their fabulous Scottish costumes – knowing that most of the money raised by The MoonWalk Scotland stays in Scotland to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

Legendary Scottish tartan rocker Alan Longmuir of the Bay City Rollers met a team of fans taking on The MoonWalk – the Boob City Strollers – and offered his support: “The MoonWalk is an amazing thing for people to do. I’ve lost a few very good friends to breast cancer myself and I want to wish good luck to everyone taking part.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “It’s been a magnificent night! We had lots of children taking part in the quarter marathon New Moon and it was great seeing the children getting their medals! All our walkers have done magnificent times and everyone came through smiling and enjoying the experience. We had more people taking part than last year and it’s very special to see people in Scotland uniting together to make a difference.”

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Donate a night to charity: volunteer at MoonWalk

Walk the Walk is calling on the people of Scotland to swing their tartan and get in the community spirit by volunteering at The MoonWalk this weekend (Saturday 11th June).

The charity needs 1,000 amazing Volunteers to help at the event starting at Holyrood Park. The MoonWalk will see thousands of Walkers pounding the pavements through the streets of Edinburgh wearing decorated bras, as they raise money and awareness to help fight breast cancer.

From marshalling and working in the baggage tent, to handing out space blankets and medals – there is a job for everyone! Whether you’ve got a few hours free, or you are able to help throughout the night, every bit of help makes a huge difference to the success of the event.

Derek Macdonald, 54, from Edinburgh, is volunteering in the baggage tent for the fifth year. He said: “The atmosphere at The MoonWalk is one of great joy for everyone involved. Applauding Walkers, making new friends, and sharing stories and experiences – there is a real sense of community spirit. I don’t really think too much about losing one night’s sleep a year – in the grand scheme of things, people that are taking part in the event have often lost a lot more than me. My message to anyone thinking about volunteering at The MoonWalk would be ‘do it!’. Even if it is for a short time, you are so important to the Walkers, who are making a huge difference to people affected by cancer.”

Walk the Walk is celebrating 20 years of Walking the Walk. The charity has granted millions of pounds towards ground-breaking research across the UK and to help those that have cancer in Scotland

Sign up to volunteer by visiting walkthewalk.org or calling 01483 741 430

Party like a Mad Hatter and celebrate ten years of MoonWalking

‘Have I gone mad? I’m afraid so, but let me tell you something: the best people usually are!’ – Alice in Wonderland

Thousands of women, men and children across Edinburgh can be excused for having a leisurely lie-in this morning – they’re saving their energy for tonight’s big Moonwalk event at Inverleith Park!

This is the tenth birthday of The MoonWalk Scotland, and this year’s special theme is The Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party. And, although the MoonWalk itself is fully subscribed, you can still enjoy the party!

Highlights include Radio Forth presenters – and hosts for the evening – Grant Stott and Arlene Stuart and Scotland’s very own fabulous Red Hot Chilli Pipers. The fun kicks off at Walk the Walk’s Pink Palace in Inverleith Park from 8pm

While the night’s sure to be a lot of fun, there is of course a serious point to MoonWalk too. The MoonWalk Scotland has raised over £18 million to date, with most of the money raised staying in Scotland to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

So to those thousands of people who will traipse through the streets of Edinburgh at midnight – many wearing Walk the Walk’s trademark brightly decorated bras – whether you’re walking New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) or Over The Moon (52.4 miles) – we salute you!

For more information go to www.walkthewalk.org/moonwalkscotland

Gearing up for Moonwalk – the hottest party in town

All aboard for MoonWalk’s tenth anniversary

The Walk the Walk Team was in St Andrew Square earlier today aboard the Lothian Pink Bus specially branded in The Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party theme of this year’s event!

The MoonWalk Scotland is celebrating its tenth anniversary on 13 June at Inverleith Park and organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk are inviting everybody to join them by signing up for one of four different challenges all to raise money, raise awareness, get fit and have fun!

The excitement for the Hottest Party in Town is already building with The Red Hot Chilli Pipers set to perform to thousands of women and men as they enjoy the electric atmosphere before they start their Midnight Challenges.

Edinburgh Castle, Lloyds on the Mound and many other iconic buildings in Scotland’s Capital City will be lit up pink on the night in support of the wonderful walkers and volunteers.

If people feel a wee bit timid about taking their first step in a charity challenge, The MoonWalk offers The New Moon (6.55 miles) with children of 10 years and upwards allowed to take part.

Alice Ferguson , aged 12, says: “ Last year, when I was 12, I heard about the New Moon. I really wanted to take part. On the night everything made me feel so special, the atmosphere was so friendly and exciting. In Moonwalk City my mum and I got a massage, had some food, and danced until we began our journey through Edinburgh.

“I remember walking up towards the castle – it was lit up pink – and everything feeling so magical. I will treasure that memory. I am over the moon to be taking part again in this amazing event this year! The New Moon is a simple, fun thing to raise money for something that is definitely not fun and simple.”

Enjoy The MoonWalk Experience without the worry of walking a long distance but anybody looking for a larger challenge can still enter The Half Moon (13.1 miles), The Full Moon (26.2 miles) and Over The Moon (52.4 miles).

To find out more about Walk the Walk and The MoonWalk Scotland visit www.walkthewalk.org/moonwalkscotland

Teaming up to fight breast cancer

Scotland’s Health Secretary Shona Robison endorsed a new partnership between MoonWalk organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, Paths for All and Young Scot earlier today.

The three groups have united to encourage Scots not only to get fit but also to raise both money and awareness in the fight against cancer.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “I am thrilled that in this the 10th Anniversary year of The MoonWalk Scotland, these two wonderful organisations Paths for All and Young Scot are uniting with us to help encourage people of all ages in Scotland to get fit and at the same time raising money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

“To have the continued support of The Health Secretary, Shona Robison, is such a fantastic endorsement of the difference that Walk the Walk is continuing to make in Scotland both in keeping people active and by the grants that we make to improve the lives of those living with cancer.”

Ian Findlay, Chief Officer of Paths for All said: “We’re delighted to partner with Walk the Walk to promote this amazing event which unites people in walking for a brilliant cause. It is great to work with Walk the Walk to raise funds, but also to highlight the importance of being active for our health. Indeed, 30 minutes of daily physical activity, such as walking can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer and is a gentle way for those in recovery to stay active.

“It is brilliant to see the The MoonWalk have shorter walks such as The New Moon, so that more people can take part in this fabulous event. Look out for the Paths for All team enjoying the fun on the night!”

David McNeill, Entitlements and Rewards Director at Young Scot, said: “Hundreds of young people and their families are affected by breast cancer every year and we know it’s a topic that many hold close to their hearts. We are delighted to be involved in the 10th Anniversary event and support and encourage young people to participate in The MoonWalk Scotland by offering Young Scot Reward points. It’s a great way to meet other people, have fun, and enjoy the health benefits of walking – we wish everyone the best of luck!”

This year’s MoonWalk takes place on Saturday 13 June at Inverleith Park, when thousands of women, men and children will walk through the streets of Edinburgh at Midnight, with those aged 13 and over wearing Walk the Walk’s trademark brightly decorated bras.

To date, The MoonWalk Scotland has raised almost £18 million, with most of the money raised staying in Scotland to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

Walk the Walk has made grants in Scotland to Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres in Glasgow, Larbert and Airdrie, for Scalp Cooling machines in hospitals throughout Scotland and to the Breast Cancer Institute in Edinburgh (renovation of Ward 6, a new theatre and renovation of the Mammography Unit).

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party’ and four walking distances are available: New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) and Over The Moon (52.4 miles).

For more information and for entry fees go to www.walkthewalk.org/moonwalkscotland

Pictured: (L-R) Paths for All’s Frances Bain, Health Minister Shona Robison MSP, Sally Orr from Walk the Walk and Young Scot’s Ashton Vickers .

MoonWalk boost for Western’s Mammography Unit

MoonWalkers transform Edinburgh’s Mammography Services!

Care for breast patients in Edinburgh will be transformed thanks to the opening of a state-of-the-art Mammography Department at the Western General Hospital.

The upgraded and extended department at the Western General Hospital was funded by donations of £1.4 million raised by the annual MoonWalk Scotland in Edinburgh and the unit was officially opened by Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk Worldwide on Friday.

Walk the Walk, the charity which organises The MoonWalk, has been working in partnership with NHS Lothian and The Breast Cancer Institute to improve facilities and care for breast patients.

Over the last eight years, Walk the Walk has donated £1.5m for the construction of the new theatre in the breast unit, with NHS Lothian funding the remaining internal work. Another £500,000 from the charity has gone towards the £1 million revamp of Ward Six at the hospital, to transform it into a dedicated breast surgery ward.

Elaine Anderson, Clinical Director of Breast Services, said: “The opening of our extended Mammography Department will enhance the specialised diagnosis and care which we are able to offer to our patients. The Edinburgh Breast Unit has been at the forefront of developments in the treatment of breast cancer for 30 years and Walk the Walk’s assistance will ensure it stays there.”

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk Worldwide, (pictured above (centre) and below) said: “All of the Walk the Walk Team are delighted to see the completion of the new Mammography Unit at the Western General.   “We have been granting funds for the projects at the Western for almost eight years, so with a new operating theatre, and the re-designed breast care ward, we have been able to help transform the facilities not only for the patients, but also the staff, so that those receiving and those giving care, feel supported by a nurturing and healing environment. MoonWalkers should feel very proud of what they have achieved for Edinburgh.”

Brian Houston, Chair, NHS Lothian, said: “It’s great to see the scope of facilities here in the mammography department. Patients from across Lothian will receive diagnostic care and treatment in a world-class facility.

“We are committed to providing patient-centred effective care and we recognise the importance of working in partnership with Walk the Walk on this particular project.”

MoonWalk’s Psychedelic Extravaganza this Saturday

The streets of Edinburgh will be transported back to the Swinging Sixties this Saturday night! After months of training, thousands of women and men wearing brightly decorated psychedelic bras will Power Walk through the streets of the capital at midnight …

Organised by grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, The MoonWalk has raised in excess of £15.5 million since 2006, with most of the money being granted in Scotland, to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

This year’s theme is “Psychedelic Extravaganza”, where anything groovy goes, as long as it’s bright and bold – a Magical Mystery Tour from the Swinging Sixties, full of Flower Power!

The walkers will start their amazing challenges from Walk the Walk’s huge Pink Tent at its new venue of Leith Links. Uniting against breast cancer, many iconic buildings across the city will be lit pink on the night, giving the walkers a huge collective hug. Amongst others, Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Lloyds on The Mound will all be basking in a pink glow!

The charity’s fantastic walkers will be taking on two new Power Walking challenges this year. Anyone aged ten and over can do the quarter marathon New Moon (6.55 miles). For those seeking an extreme challenge, Walk the Walk has introduced the double marathon Over the Moon (52.4 miles). The famous Half Moon (13.1 miles) and Full Moon (26.2 miles) challenges are both still available.

STV Entertainment correspondent Laura Boyd will be taking on the Full Moon – Laura was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2009 and uses Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, which is funded by Walk the Walk. Also walking are singer/songwriter Carrie Mac, as well as the editor of Good Housekeeping Magazine Lindsay Nicholson, on the second leg of her 3 Land Challenge, which also includes MoonWalks in London and Iceland.

Five MSP’s have signed up for The New Moon – Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton), Sarah Boyack (Lothian), Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland), Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) and Drew Smith (Glasgow).

Entries for all the walking challenges are now closed, but Walk the Walk still wants more volunteers to sign up – a thousand are needed to help the event run smoothly.

There’s a variety of roles available, including route marshall, cycle marshall, water crew, clean and recycle team, and directional team (helping direct walkers, and other jobs on The MoonWalk City site).

To sign up as a volunteer for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland please click here

Women city councillors unite to walk the Moonwalk

This Saturday I will be participating in the MoonWalk. There is a cross party group of women Councillors walking as a team and we have created an online Fundraising Page for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland 2013.

To show your support for this effort and raise funding for breast cancer in Scotland, please donate at

http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/strident

This Team Web Page will be active until 29 Oct 13.

Thank you for uniting against breast cancer

With good wishes and good health,

Lesley Hinds

Volunteer a night’s sleep to support MoonWalk Edinburgh

Donate a night’s sleep – and help The MoonWalkers Walk the Walk!

Have you always wanted to be part of The MoonWalk Edinburgh, but thought that taking on a Power Walking challenge was a few steps too far? Donating a night’s sleep by volunteering during the event could be just the answer!

The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland 2013 takes place at Leith Links on 8 June, organised by grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk. Thousands of women and men Power Walk through the city at Midnight, wearing brightly decorated bras, raising money and awareness for breast cancer.

Walk the Walk needs a thousand volunteers – these amazing people literally make the event happen. Without them, thousands of MoonWalkers couldn’t take on their Power Walking challenges, and raise millions of pounds for vital breast cancer causes.
There is a wide variety of roles to suit everyone. Marshalls guide and direct walkers around the route, encouraging and cheering them on as they complete their challenge, as well as manning water stops. Keen cyclists, with their own bike, can join the cycle support team.

On The MoonWalk City site, volunteers help sell a fabulous selection of bra pins, gorgeous pink balloons and colourful Walk the Walk tattoos to walkers, raising even more money. Do you have a professional massage qualification? If so, you can join the charity’s team of masseuses, giving walkers a much needed confidence boost just before The MoonWalk. Whilst many people are needed overnight, the 6am shift is ideal for early birds. As hundreds of dedicated volunteers near the end of a long but rewarding night, a fresh team of enthusiastic workers takes over!

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk The Walk said: “Every year I am so touched by the enormous generosity of all those people who Volunteer for The MoonWalk, they are so committed to supporting our Walkers and helping to make the night a success. Without them, the event could not take place. These are the people who will still be smiling and cheering in the small hours, and will be on the Finish Line until the last person makes it home! It really is a night when everybody can help make a difference, and the Walk the Walk Volunteers are second to none. It’s probably the most dynamic and awe-inspiring night you can experience”.

To sign up as a volunteer for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland, and for more information, go to

www.walkthewalk.org/volunteer

Entries for The New Moon, a 6.55 miles quarter marathon, are open until Wednesday (29 May).

Inverleith Park gears up for Moonwalk 2012

The Arabian Nights will come to sedate old Inverleith Park tomorrow night with all the exotic mystery of the East – yes, it’s Moonwalk 2012!

Thousands of women – and more than a few men, too – will walk either the Full Moon (26.2 miles) or the Half Moon. As always, everybody will be wearing brightly decorated bras and this year’s theme is ‘Midnight at the Oasis’; organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk are looking forward to seeing some exotic and exciting creations!

Since the first MoonWalk Edinburgh in 2006, this iconic night has brought together ordinary women and men, not just from Scotland but from all over the World, to achieve an extraordinary personal challenge, whilst raising money to improve the lives of cancer patients in Scotland. With the support of over 60,000 walkers over the last 6 years, this one evening has raised in excess of £14 million and over £2 million in 2011 alone.

One in eight women in the UK are expected to experience some form of breast cancer, and statistics show that this type of cancer has accelerated faster in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. Reports also show that 42% of all breast cancers could potentially be prevented by reducing alcohol intake, making changes to diet, becoming more active and, most mportantly, maintaining a healthy weight. Joining a Walk the Walk challenge for many is often that first, all-important step towards making vital life changes.

Organiser and founder of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough, said: “The MoonWalk Edinburgh is a very special night, not only for all the wonderful Scottish energy that unites us in this common bond, but I love and cherish the fact that we are making such a difference to the lives of so many people in Scotland with cancer, not just in the main cities but from coast to coast including people living in the Highlands and Islands. It really is a night when everybody can help to make a difference, not only towards their own health but the lives of many. It is probably the most dynamic and awe-inspiring night that you could experience.”

Walk the Walk’s volunteer team could use some extra help on the big night. Their appeal:

‘We really need your help to recruit more smiling faces to act as route marshals to guide, cheer and encourage our walkers round the route. We are also looking for some early morning drivers to patrol the route and respond to calls to pick up and transport marshals or walkers who can no longer continue their walk. Finally, perhaps you are a keen cyclist – you could be part of one of our cycle teams, supporting the static marshals and lending comfort and safety to walkers who may find themselves on their own or struggling. If you can help please come along to Inverleith Park from 2 pm on Saturday and we’ll sign you up. Whatever time you can come, we’ll find you something to do!! AND it’s great FUN!!’