Scotland’s iconic night time fundraising event, The MoonWalk Scotland, lit up the streets of Edinburgh last night(Saturday 7th September).
Hundreds of women, men and young people wearing brightly decorated bras or colourful “bra t-shirts” set off from Holyrood Park at 11pm, to walk a half or full marathon through the capital, to raise money for breast and other cancers.
Glittering light installations showed MoonWalkers the way, with iconic buildings across the Edinburgh skyline also lit up pink in their honour, including: Camera Obscura, Lloyds on the Mound, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Radisson Blu Hotel and the Stamp Office.
Dozens of walkers also took on a walking challenge virtually, in their own areas.
Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, Scotland’s MoonWalk has raised an incredible £22 million since the event was first staged in 2006.
Funds awarded by Walk the Walk make a huge difference to people across Scotland living with cancer – recent grants have been made to the Beatson Cancer Charity, Ayrshire Cancer Support and Make 2nds Count.
To register your interest for The MoonWalk Scotland 2025 go to:
The MoonWalk Scotlandreturned to the streets of Edinburgh in a blaze of colour last night(Sat 9th Sept).
Women, men and young people wearing brightly decorated bras or colourful “bra t-shirts” set off from Holyrood Park in balmy, late summer temperatures at 11pm, to walk a half or full marathon through the capital.
Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, the first MoonWalk Scotland was staged in 2006. Since then, walkers have raised almost £22 million, which is granted across Scotland to help support those living with cancer.
Walk the Walk recently awarded £50,000 to the charity Cancer Support Scotland, to help reduce the waiting list for Scottish cancer patients and their families, who are in desperate need of emotional and wellbeing support.
Many buildings and landmarks across Edinburgh lit up pink throughout the night in honour of Walk the Walk’s amazing walkers and volunteers.
These included Edinburgh Castle; Camera Obscura, Lloyds on the Mound; Royal Society; Edinburgh; Victoria Quay, Leith, Radisson Blu Hotel, St. Andrew’s House, Prestonfield House Hotel; Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Rachel Groves(59) from Edinburghcompleted the 26.2 miles Full Moon. Rachel was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2023, having battled for almost a year to be examined in person by her GP.
Rachel said; “I’m chuffed to bits to have completed The MoonWalk with my daughter, sister, nieces and closest friend.
“It was quite an incredible experience: amazing volunteers, very non-traditional Edinburgh weather and a cause we all truly believe in.
“For me, personally, it was particularly humbling to be fundraising knowing that MoonWalk organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk funded the unit which treated me at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
“And here I am, less than five months after a mastectomy, walking the walk!“
Fiona Watson,(56) from Elgin, took part in her first Moonwalk, completing the 13.1 miles Half Moon. Fiona has been on constant treatment for secondary breast cancer since 2014.
She said: “Our team thoroughly enjoyed completing the Half Moon. It was uplifting and challenging, amongst many other emotions, and there was a tremendous feeling of unity throughout the night – the organisers and the volunteers were first class from start to finish.
“The warmth we experienced from the city of Edinburgh was immeasurable and we are also quite overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of all our sponsors.
“By taking part in The MoonWalk, I hope I’ve raised awareness that it is possible for anyone newly diagnosed with breast cancer (or indeed secondary breast cancer) to still lead a relatively normal life.”
Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk,said: “What an incredible night! It was wonderful to see so many people taking part, including a large number who were totally new to MoonWalking.
“Together, everyone was uniting not only to raise awareness of breast cancer, but also valuable funds which will help improve the lives of people across Scotland living with the disease.
“The collective pink hug from so many iconic buildings across Edinburgh which had lit up pink for the occasion was such a huge boost for our Walkers and Volunteers, as was the unseasonably warm weather!
“Keep helping us make a difference by signing up for The MoonWalk Scotland 2024!”
Entries are already open for The MoonWalk Scotland on Saturday 7th September 2024. Sign up now www.walkthewalk.org
As the last brave walkers make it back home, organisers reflect on a wet but wonderful night …
Mad Hatters waltzed with White Rabbits and Cheshire Cats can-canned with Pink Flamingos this weekend to celebrate a decade of incredible fundraising at The MoonWalk Scotland!
Thousands of women and men wearing decorated bras inspired by this year’s theme ‘Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party’, set off in the cold and wet at midnight on Saturday from Inverleith Park, to power walk (or meander!) through the streets of the capital, raising money and awareness for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.
Before one step had even been taken by that crazy gang of weird and wonderful wonderland characters over half a million pounds had already been raised – adding to an incredible total of £18 million since the first MoonWalk Scotland in 2006!
Most of the money stays in Scotland, helping to improve the lives of people with cancer.
Legendary Scottish band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers ramped up the party atmosphere in Walk the Walk’s Pink Palace, playing for Walkers before they set off on one of four challenges: New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) and Over The Moon (52.4 miles).
With a walking distance for every age and ability, whole families were able to experience a night of fun and a bit of MoonWalk magic! Walkers aged from just ten years old are able to sign up for the New Moon, with this year’s youngest MoonWalker celebrating their own tenth birthday just two days before the event.
Iconic landmarks including Edinburgh Castle and the Melville Monument lit up pink throughout the night to give all the walkers a huge collective hug. A number of specially commissioned bras were also on display at The MoonWalk Scotland, designed by Maggie’s, Young Scot, Paths for All, Essential Edinburgh, City Cabs and Liggy’s Cakes, all uniting with Walk the Walk against breast cancer.
Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “The energy of everyone at this fantastic birthday party was just amazing and the rain was not going to stop a good MoonWalk!
“It was incredible to see Edinburgh lit up pink, in honour of our wonderful Walkers, and I was overwhelmed by the kindness of people on the streets, coming together to provide a constant supply of support, snacks and drinks.
“I found it really moving standing on the finish line of the New Moon, seeing all the faces of young children, who were especially delighted because they had persuaded their parents to take part. What a night!”
