Hollywood’s iconic sign shines for The MoonWalk Scotland

Hollywood comes to Holyrood, L-R: Mags Doyle, Kath Paterson, Louise Dunn, Irene Mcintosh, Ann Harkins, Graham Mcintosh, Alain Leger, Haydee Lofthouse, Jane Taylor

Hollywood’s iconic sign was transported to Edinburgh this morning (Wednesday 21^st March) as the famous white letters made an appearance on the Holyrood Hills, shining a spotlight on The MoonWalk Scotland!

Ten MoonWalkers wearing decorated bras and t-shirts held up letters spelling out the word ‘Hollywood’ as they encouraged people across Scotland to join them at this year’s ‘Hollywood to Holyrood’ themed event on Saturday 9^th June.

Organised by grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, The MoonWalk Scotland will see

thousands of women, men and young people power walking a quarter, half, full or double marathon through the streets of Edinburgh at Midnight to raise money and awareness to help fight the disease.

Alain Leger a MoonWalker from Cupar said: “What a brilliant morning and a fun way to shout about The MoonWalk. Don’t worry –you don’t have to walk to Hollywood to be part of the event – it’s in Edinburgh! I can’t wait for the night itself – meeting new people and raising money to help people living with cancer in Scotland. Come on everyone, get involved!”

MoonWalker, Ann Harkins, from Newport-On-Tay said: “I did the very first MoonWalk Scotland in 1996 as a way of getting fit, but I got addicted and have done every single one since! I am a nurse who used to work with patients with breast cancer, so it is something that is very close to me. Walking clears your head and improves your fitness -The MoonWalk is a great night for a very important cause.”

Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough CBE said: “Hopefully today’s gathering of Hollywood glamour at Holyrood will encourage more women, men and children to join us at The MoonWalk and take on the Walk the Walk of Fame! I noticed that this week NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is the first health board in Scotland to sign up to the Daily Mile initiative, which will be supporting their staff to walk, jog or run a mile every day. I support them with every step, Walking is a fantastic way for all ages and abilities to come together, and what better way to use all those daily miles than to gather them all up and take on the New Moon 6.55 miles or even more. Sign up now for a MoonWalk challenge and add a real purpose to your daily mile, for your own health and for those with cancer.”

More than 80,000 walkers have taken part in The MoonWalk Scotland since the event started in 1996, and so far, more than £20.5 million has been raised to improve the lives of those living with cancer in the country.

Setting off from Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Walkers can take on one of four challenges at The MoonWalk Scotland; The New Moon (6.55 miles, open to people aged 10 and over), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) or Over The Moon (52.4 miles).

FREE TO USE IMAGES AVAILABLE HERE

ENDS

For more information, photographs and quotes, contact:

• Sally Orr at Walk the Walk. 07796 080 675  [email protected]
• Claire Duncan at Walk the Walk. 01483 741 430 [email protected]

Notes to editors:

Interviews are still available with all 10 Walkers involved in today’s event:

• Graham and Irene McIntosh from A married couple with 1ft 4 inch height difference who dress up in fun costumes at every MoonWalk Scotland! Breast cancer is a cause close to their hearts, as Irene’s sister had the disease.
• Kath Paterson from Edinburgh. Kath had breast cancer in 2011. Treated at the Western General Hospital, Kath still uses the facilities in the Breast Cancer Institute which have been improved by Walk the Walk grants.
• Mags Doyle from Power Walking has transformed Mags’ fitness and she now completes the double-marathon distance Over the Moon Ultra.
• Alain Leger from Cupar. Walking in support of his grandmother, 91, who had breast cancer. Alain loves a personal challenge, and enjoys The MoonWalk because it is all-inclusive.
• Esther Murdoch from Galashiels. She is walking in memory of a friend.
• Haydee Lofthouse from Melrose is walking to get fit ahead of her 40^th
  Louise Dunn from Edinburgh. A seasoned MoonWalker, Louise is used to being up all hours as she used to work the overnight shift in a hospice.
• Jane Taylor from Broxburn. Jane’s husband has terminal cancer. Having had a couple of cancer scares herself, Jane wants to raise awareness of the disease.
• Ann Harkins from Newport-On-Tay. Ann has done every single MoonWalk Scotland since it started in 1996.

The MoonWalk Scotland 2018

• Saturday 9^th June 2018, 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 ‘Hollywood comes to Holyrood’.
• The New Moon costs £32.50 for adults and £15 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

• Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive, set up and now runs Walk the Walk Worldwide.  
• 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 £122 million.
• As a grant-making charity, all funds are raised for Walk the Walk are 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 annually grants funds to smaller organisations working on the front line of cancer such as Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, Tenovus Cancer Care, The Christie, Cancer Kin, FACT and others, who have all received funds in the past enabling them to continue their work. 
• ‘The MoonWalk’ is the flagship event of the charity currently held in London, Scotland and Iceland.