Over 15,000 men and women participate in the annual MoonWalk London, a Walk the Walk breast cancer charity event that takes place every year. The event has grown to become one of the largest breast cancer walks in Europe. Walk the Walk was launched in 1987 and has since raised millions of pounds for breast cancer charities and research.
Along the breast cancer walk in England, MoonWalk London is one of the most significant events.
History of Breast Cancer Walk in London
Walk the Walk was founded by Nina Borough after a positive experience at a power-walking event in the New York City Marathon. Ms. Borough launched the Walk the Walk campaign in London several years later, and she and her production team created the MoonWalk London to support Breakthrough Breast Cancer research projects. The MoonWalk London raised over 9 million pounds sterling in 2008, and the event is open to all men and women who are passionate about supporting breast cancer causes and taking charge of their own well-being.
Significance
The MoonWalk is sponsored by Playtex, but other companies and organizations can donate funds, volunteer or participate in the Walk to show their support. Previous sponsors have included CSV, the London Cycling Campaign, the Students’ Union Queen Mary, Essentials for Health, and ROSPA. Instead of wearing pink T-shirts and pink outfits, female participants are encouraged to walk in decorated bras. Bras can be decorated with flowers, feathers, fringe, sparkling lights, chiffon, and animal prints. The MoonWalk takes place in the evening, and walkers are encouraged to wear a clear weather protector in case of rain.
Features
The Walk starts at midnight in Hyde Park, London; several other locations around the United Kingdom host the event throughout the year. Individuals who want to participate but do not want to walk the route can volunteer their time to drive the “Bramobile” recovery vehicle, oversee the registration booths, give the walkers a warm-up massage, or serve refreshments and water to participants at the event.
Benefits
Volunteers receive a complimentary T-shirt and hat to wear at the event and have the opportunity to attend theme parties and social events after the Walk is over. Participants can set up online fund-raising accounts with partner sites to promote their participation and raise sponsorship money. Individuals can form teams to raise funds and walk at the event together; anyone who wants to train with someone else participating in the event can use the Walking Pals Search on the Walk website to find a training partner in their area.
Considerations
Volunteers and event participants can register for the event online by visiting the Walk the Walk website. Volunteers are needed for the MoonWalk London, MoonWalk Edinburgh, Sunwalk Bristol, and SunWalk Newcastle and in the main offices of the Walk the Walk organization. Participants are encouraged to use the online fund-raising partners to collect donations and sponsorships because the Walk the Walk Foundation receives the funds quickly, and UK taxpayers earn an extra 25 p for every pound donated.