A Perthshire woman put her best foot forward to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.
Cheryl Reid, who lives in Bridge of Earn, took part in the iconic MoonWalk with her friend Julie Cowan earlier this month.
Women and men wearing brightly coloured bras – many decorated with a 2022 ‘Your Hero’ theme - set off from Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, as the fundraising walk returned for the first time in three years.
Involved in the event for the second time, Cheryl and Julie decided to decorate their bras as Thor and their team name was The Avengers for the 26.2-mile test of endurance.
After completing the walk, Cheryl said: “We previously did it five years ago with a group of 12 ladies.
“It’s so much fun just working on the idea for the bra alone. With this year’s theme being ‘Your Hero’, we really wanted to do Wonder Woman, but knew so many others would choose this theme.
“As our team was the Avengers, I chose Thor as my inspiration.
“The buzz on the night of The MoonWalk is amazing. Everyone is so friendly, happy and encouraging.
“The weather wasn’t anywhere near like the good weather from the previous time we took part, with cold strong gusts blowing you backwards at times.
“But having a friend to chat to the whole way definitely helps pass the time and the volunteers really help to lift your spirits the whole way round.
“Our favourite part is always Portobello beach at sunrise with a wee hot chocolate from the volunteers watching the sun come up and, if you’re lucky, you’ll even see dolphins.”
Cheryl continued: “Walking through the night definitely adds another dimension to the walk, but you also get to experience Edinburgh in a completely different way.
“I have family members and friends who have fought and thankfully beaten breast cancer and thinking of their battles helps to push you through.
“If you haven’t experienced The MoonWalk before, either as a volunteer or a walker, I would urge you to give it a go.
“It’s a whole new experience whilst raising money for a very worthy cause.”
Over the last 15 years, the night-time event, organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, has raised almost £22 million.
The money is granted across Scotland, to help support those living with cancer. During the pandemic, Walk the Walk gave £20,000 to the charity Cancer Support Scotland to help fund its online services.
Previous grants have been made to Maggie’s Centres in Glasgow, Forth Valley and Airdrie and to the Breast Cancer Unit at Edinburgh’s West General Hospital.
Funds have also been given to hospitals across Scotland to purchase Scalp Coolers – machines which help many people undergoing chemotherapy to keep their hair.
Nina Barough CBE, founder and chief executive of Walk the Walk, said: “It was really special for Scotland’s MoonWalk to be back – people clearly enjoyed the fact that they could finally come back together and take on their walking challenges in person.
“The MoonWalk Scotland and the important work which it funds is more needed than ever. Covid has affected cancer in such a way that it will be five to 10 years before we really recover.
“The money raised by The MoonWalk Scotland will help so many people who vitally need our support.”
Cheryl’s fundraising page can be viewed by visiting the following link: https://walkthewalk.enthuse.com/pf/the-avengers
For more information and details on how to register your interest for The MoonWalk Scotland 2023, head over to the website www.walkthewalk.org
