Mobs of women, and men too, will bare bras (yep, the men too!) – and soles – to London’s streets tonight for the 13th annual Playtex Moonwalk. If you’re in town tonight but not walking the walk, you should still pop by the big pink tent in Hyde Park. There’ll be entertainment, stalls, plenty of energy and underwire on display, but remember: these walkers need YOUR support. So if you know any friends, friends of friends, friends of friends’ friends, walking, be sure to find and donate to their JustGiving page.
TIPS FROM 2 MOONWALKERS
We recently caught up with Christine and Helen, two few Moonwalk veterans. These fabulous friends are flat-out FIERCE when it comes to fundraising for breast cancer research. In just three years, they’ve helped raise well over sixty thousand pounds for charities including Walk the Walk, Cancer Research UK, the Christie Hospital in Manchester and local hospices.
With a group of mates, Christine and Helen recently completed the first-ever Shine Manchester walk, and raising over £2870 for that event. Check out and contribute to their fundraising efforts at Bunch of Shiner’s JustGiving page.
Why did you start fundraising for breast cancer?
[Christine] Helen – the reason we started – was a race course nurse. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she wanted to do something and came up with the idea of a charity race. I said I’d help her out – that was right before I was diagnosed! We started the Haydock race night, raising money for cancer charities by selling corporate entertainment packages, and then the auction and the bookie receipts too. We’ve raised £48,000 in three years. Our next event is the 19 June, 2010. It’s all sold out – JLS are playing at it, which helps!
What other fundraising events have you done, to fundraise money for cancer research?
We’ve done marathon walks – the Moonwalk two times in London, and one Shine walk in Manchester. We’ve done cycle rides too – the 60-mile Manchester-Blackpool ride. And we’ve started the fundraising race night at Haydock Race course.
How did you train for the Moonwalk and Shine Manchester event?
Generally, we follow a 12 week training plan that the charity supplies. This has a gradual build up to walking longer distances over the time, so you’re ready for the distance. Otherwise, just keeping a healthy diet. And abstaining for a week before…!
26.2 miles is a long way to walk. How long does it usually take you?
About 8 and half hours.
That’s a LONG time. How do you pass it?
We did it with a great big gang of friends – that helps. You talk, you sing, you do anything you can do. It’s a really good time to get lost in your head too. It’s a good time to just think, too. We don’t have enough time to do that – just think – in our busy lives.
Blisters?
LOTS of blisters.
Helen, as a professional nurse, do you have any special advice for the walkers?
Have a glass of wine and just go for it! Eat plenty of bananas, too.
Christine, any other tips for ladies (and those gents) walking tonight?
Take lots of snacks. When you hit the wall, remember you will come out of it. 4am is a low point – but seeing Big Ben means you’re near the end. So hang in there. It’s worth it: it’s such a big achievement. Just because you’re not running the 26.2, don’t underestimate what you’re doing!
*****OTHER EVENTS*****
If you’re interested in walking or fundraising for cancer research, there are loads of events across the UK yet this year. There’s Moonwalk Edinburgh, Sunwalk Bristol to Shine Cardiff to name a few. Know any others? Add them in the comments below. Then get entered and get your JustGiving page going….
Tags: breast cancer, Cancer Research UK, London, Moonwalk, Walk the Walk