The circus is coming to town! The theme of this year’s MoonWalk Scotland will be inspired by the hit movie The Greatest Showman – organisers at breast cancer charity Walk the Walk are hoping people will let their imaginations go crazy as they decorate their circus-inspired bras to wear at the event.
The event takes place on June 8 in Edinburgh, when walkers will wend their way past some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill and St Giles Cathedral, all the while raising funds to help people living with cancer in Scotland.
Yvonne Clark from Dundee signed up for The MoonWalk challenge two years ago when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. The following year Yvonne was also diagnosed with the disease after a routine mammogram.
During her treatment, Yvonne benefited from relaxation classes and walking groups at Maggie’s Centre at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
“It’s great to know that money raised from The MoonWalk helps such vital projects like this,” she says.
A community nurse, Yvonne has just started a phased return to work.
“My sister and I both have daughters so we have recently undergone genetic testing to see if we carry the BRCA gene and are awaiting the results,” she explains.
Yvonne will be taking part in The MoonWalk on June 8 with her sister, daughter Louise and five friends, and they each hope to raise £100.
“Our team is called ‘Walking in your undies,’” she says. “We are going to proudly wear our circus-themed bras as we make our way through the streets of Edinburgh – my friend’s daughter is studying design, so she is going to decorate our bras.
“It will be my first sporting challenge since my treatment and I’m slowly rebuilding my fitness. I love walking with my little dog, and so far I have walked up to four miles – I’m already feeling fitter,” she smiles.
“I can’t wait to complete this challenge with the rest of my team, and knowing we are raising money for such an important cause will definitely keep us motivated.”
Yvonne’s message for anyone thinking about signing up for The MoonWalk is: DO IT!
“You can choose between six, 13, 26.2, or 52.4 miles – any distance really does make a difference,” she urges.
And Louise, Yvonne’s daughter, adds: “I’m really looking forward to completing The MoonWalk Scotland 2019 with my mum, auntie and friends.
“As a healthcare assistant I’m on my feet all day so I’m already racking up miles of training just as part of my day job!
“I’ve been to Maggie’s Centre with my mum – it was great,” she continues. “They have a lot of time for people, and it really helped us as a family. Ninewells Hospital, Maggie’s, and our wider family have been amazing throughout everything and taking part in The MoonWalk Scotland means we can give a little something back by raising money to help such vital causes.”
Help support people living with cancer in Scotland by signing up to The MoonWalk Scotland: www.walkthewalk.org
