PRESS RELEASE - From a one-woman band…to a charity that’s raised £133 million!
Ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March, the founder of breast cancer charity Walk the Walk is calling on women from across the country to sign up for a potentially life-changing challenge.
Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of breast cancer charity Walk the Walk
Ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March, the founder of breast cancer charity Walk the Walk is calling on women from across the country to sign up for a potentially life-changing challenge.
Founded 23 years ago by Nina Barough CBE, Walk the Walk is best known for its iconic flagship event The MoonWalk London. On Saturday 16th May, thousands of women wearing decorated bras will walk either a half or full marathon through the streets of the capital at Midnight to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.
Nina’s own story will inspire many other others across the UK on International Women’s Day – a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
In 1996, Nina was working as a fashion stylist. Then she had a dream – that she was Power Walking the New York City Marathon in a bra to raise money for breast cancer. A few months later, she and a group of 12 friends did just that, raising £25,000, which was granted to Breakthrough Breast Cancer for research. At this stage, Nina had no fundraising experience and no connection to breast cancer.
Just weeks later and totally out of the blue, Nina was diagnosed with breast cancer herself. Nina’s friends and family wanted to support her and entered the London Marathon, walking the event in decorated bras, raising another £25,000. In 1998, Nina entered another team for the London Marathon, but only half her team received places. Undeterred, she created a one-off night time Power Walking marathon ahead of the official London Marathon. The MoonWalk London was born – Nina had created the first ever mass fundraising event for walkers and is now a Power Walking expert.
Walk the Walk has now raised an incredible £133 million for vital breast cancer causes. Since 1996, more than 360,000 women have taken on a Walk the Walk challenge.
Nina Barough CBE, Founder and now Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said:
“When Walk the Walk started, it was all about raising money for specific research into primary breast cancer. Now, 23 years later, great advances have been made, and the charity has developed into so much more. With survival rates greatly improved, our focus is still on research but predominantly secondary cancers and we also invest heavily into the emotional and physical support for those living with cancer across the UK.
Over the years, we have empowered and encouraged thousands upon thousands of women and quite a few men, to realise the importance of being regularly active and the part it plays in cancer prevention. Walking is as a wonderful way to take control of your own health and well-being, whilst raising money and having a huge amount of fun!
When I completed my first marathon in New York back in 1996, I couldn’t have dreamt that two decades later, it would be an annual challenge for me to take on the famous 26.2 miles distance, but I love it and long may it continue! This International Women’s Day, take the first step, and follow the many, many women who’ve gone before you, by taking on a Half or Full marathon at The MoonWalk London. Walking is better together, you won’t regret it!”
Do something positive this International Women’s Day and sign up to take part in The MoonWalk London on Saturday 16th May. Power Walk through the streets of London 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
FREE TO USE IMAGES OF NINA BAROUGH AND THE MOONWALK LONDON ARE AVAILABLE HERE
For more information and to arrange interviews with Nina Barough CBE, contact:
- Jennifer Broh at Walk the Walk: 01483 741430 [email protected]
- Claire Duncan at Walk the Walk: 01483 741430 [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
The MoonWalk London 2020
- Saturday 16th May 2020, Clapham Common
- Two challenges are available: Half Moon Plus (15.1 miles) or Full Moon (26.2 miles)
- This year’s theme is “Out of this World”.
- All participants must be aged 13 and over to take part
- Walkers are asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship
- This is the 23rd MoonWalk London
- For more information, go to walkthewalk.org
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 more than £133 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, Breast Cancer Haven, Penny Brohn UK and hundreds of NHS Hospitals and Trusts for which we supply Scalp Cooling Systems. These are wonderful machines, which help many people undergoing chemotherapy to avoid losing their hair.
- 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 London, Scotland and Iceland.
