Couple put the “fun” into fundraising at The Moonwalk Scotland!

Irene and Graham Mcintosh wearing their “Krankies” bras at The MoonWalk Scotland

A couple from Inverkip known for their outrageous decorated bras and fancy dress outfits are urging people of all ages to join them at The MoonWalk Scotland 2019, organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.

At Midnight on Saturday 8^th June, thousands of women and men, wearing decorated bras will walk through the streets of Edinburgh to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.  

Irene and Graham Mcintosh have completed The MoonWalk Scotland 16 times between them. Irene signed up for the first ever MoonWalk Scotland back in 2006 and has been involved as a walker or volunteer every year since. Irene’s husband Graham first completed the iconic night-time walk 7 years ago, after Irene’s sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.  

The couple are well known for their original and eye-catching bra designs, transforming themselves in recent years into the Krankies, the “Bras Monkeys”, as well as Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

Irene Mcintosh (61) says she will always sign up for The MoonWalk: “I love the MoonWalk because I experience the fun side of fundraising whilst raising awareness of, and money for, a very serious cause. My sister has come through the traumas of having breast cancer and that’s when Walk the Walk became even more meaningful and important to me. The MoonWalk is a hugely enjoyable event where you also make friends for life. It’s a great way to improve your fitness whilst helping others. Age is no barrier, we are now in our 60’s and loving it more than ever!”

Open to people aged 10 and over, Walkers can take on one of four challenges: The New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) or Over The Moon (52.4 miles). Irene and Graham have signed up for the Full Moon.

Graham Mcintosh (64) says:- “The MoonWalk is a fantastic event and, although others have imitated the idea, to us it remains unique. Every MoonWalk has a theme, which we always try to fully embrace with our outfits. We really look forward to the announcement of each year’s MoonWalk theme, then try to choose an appropriate and humorous team name to register under. We put as much effort into this side of participation, as we do training for the Walk! Putting smiles on faces really helps with the fundraising side of things which, after all, is the primary aim of getting involved. The MoonWalk is a great event, and Walk the Walk is a great cause to support”.

In its 14^th year, The MoonWalk Scotland, has to date raised more than £21.3million. This is granted to make a difference to people in Scotland who are living with cancer now.

Founder of Walk the Walk, and organiser of The MoonWalk Scotland, Nina Barough CBE, said: “The MoonWalk is not just a walk, it’s an experience, that unites men and women, all ages and all abilities, together they achieve something extraordinary and inspirational for themselves, whilst helping those with cancer, where it is needed most. Many of our Walkers come from other parts of the UK and indeed the world, but with the growing needs for our funds on the front line of cancer, it is vital for us to keep on walking, and to encourage everybody to do their bit by joining us in raising money, raising awareness and to just start Walking the Walk!”

Don’t miss The MoonWalk Scotland, Saturday 8^th June. Power Walk through the streets of Edinburgh at Midnight wearing a decorated bra, as you raise money and awareness for breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk. Sign up now: www.walkthewalk.org

For all media enquiries including interviews and other case studies please contact:

Claire Duncan      [email protected]g          01483 741430

Jen Broh               [email protected]       01483 741430

 To download free to use photos, including images of Irene and Graham Mcintosh, click here

Notes to Editors:

    The MoonWalk Scotland 2019

• Saturday 8^th June 2019, Holyrood Park Edinburgh
• Four walking challenges are available: New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles), Over The Moon (52.4 miles)
• This year’s theme is ‘Circus’.
• The New Moon costs £32.50 for adults and £18 for Young Walkers aged 10-12
• The cost of entering the Half Moon and Full Moon is £49.50 – minimum age 13
• The cost of entering Over The Moon is £77.50 – minimum age 18. Walkers taking part in Over The Moon are asked to raise a minimum of £350 in sponsorship.
• Walkers taking part in the New Moon, Half Moon or Full Moon are asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship, with Young Walkers asked to simply raise as much as they can.
• Walk the Walk is the principal funder of the Maggie’s Centre at Gartnavel, Glasgow and Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert. A grant was also made towards the Lanarkshire Centre in the grounds of Monklands Hospital in Airdrie. Maggie’s Centres offer support to people diagnosed with all types of cancer, as well as providing emotional support for their families.
• Walk the Walk has also funded the renovation of Ward 6, a new theatre and renovation of the Mammography Unit at the Breast Cancer Institute at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital.
• Walk the Walk is committed to providing funding to hospitals across Scotland and the UK to purchase Scalp Cooling systems, special machines which are helping many people undergoing chemotherapy to retain their hair. Walk the Walk has funded 57 Scalp Coolers in 26 Scottish hospitals.

Walk the Walk

• Walk the Walk specialises in fitness and Power Walking challenges.
• HRH The Prince of Wales is the official Patron of Walk the Walk.
• Walk the Walk has so far raised in excess of £128 million.
• As a grant-making charity, all funds are raised for Walk the Walk and then granted to where the charity feels they will do the most good.
• Walk the Walk funds are granted to projects that not only support research, important to all our future health, but also support a variety of projects that are supporting cancer patients now throughout the UK.
• To date grants have been made to charities and organisations throughout the UK including Breast Cancer Now, The Breast Cancer Haven, Penny Brohn UK and hundreds of NHS Hospitals and Trusts for which we supply Scalp Cooling Systems.
• The charity also has a community grant fund which each year grants to smaller organisations. Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, Tenovus Cancer Care, The Christie, Cancer Kin, FACT and others, all receive funds which enable them to continue their work.
• ‘The MoonWalk’ is the flagship event of the charity currently held in Scotland, London and Iceland.