The Prince of Wales celebrates 20 years of Walk the Walk
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Patron of Walk the Walk, hosted a reception for distinguished guests and supporters to mark 20 years since Nina Barough CBE walked the walk at the New York Marathon and took the first steps towards what is now the largest grant-making breast cancer charity in the UK.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Patron of Walk the Walk, hosted a reception for distinguished guests and supporters to mark 20 years since Nina Barough CBE walked the walk at the New York Marathon and took the first steps towards what is now the largest grant-making breast cancer charity in the UK.
Every year, thousands of women and men wearing decorated bras take part in the charity’s flagship MoonWalk events, plus other challenges, which have raised over £113 million to date. Much of this has been granted to a number of benefiting charities.
Speaking at the 20th Anniversary reception at Clarence House yesterday (Wednesday 23 November), His Royal Highness said:
"It was a pleasure seeing you all and I wanted to wish Walk the Walk a very Happy 20th Birthday, and above all to congratulate dear Nina on this amazing achievement. I don’t think she ever imagined it would keep going as long as this when it first started. It is an astonishing achievement to have raised £113 million."
Among those present at the reception were some of Walk the Walk’s high profile and long-term supporters, including Ambassador, Actress Harriet Thorpe, and Comedian and Actress Jennifer Saunders.
At the event, His Royal Highness cut a special 20th year birthday cake, met with volunteers, fundraisers, Walk the Walk staff, and many others who have helped the charity on its journey to become what it is today. The Tootsie Rollers also performed the official Walk the Walk song.
Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk, said:
“What an amazing day! It was very lovely to bring together a group of people that have played a fundamental part in Walk the Walk existing. Some of them were there right at the beginning and others who have helped along the way. It was very special to spend time with our Patron today – he is such a kind and generous person.
“Just for a moment we can stand and celebrate our achievements over the past 20 years before we get back to the business of organising more events.”
Others present included Reggie Ramskill-Pugh who took part in the very first MoonWalk in 1997 and Carol Ardill, who volunteers at Walk the Walk’s Head Office. She said:
“It was a truly memorable occasion to meet His Royal Highness and to be alongside so many people who have worked together to raise so much money for breast cancer causes over the last 20 years. I love volunteering and being part of the Walk the Walk team, and to be invited to this amazing celebration was such a special treat”.
The Prince of Wales last held a reception for Walk the Walk in 2007. Prior to this, he hosted an event at Highgrove in 2001, and in more recent years has regularly sent messages of support to our MoonWalks and supporters.
Since 1996 Walk the Walk has granted funds to charities including; Breast Cancer Now, Penny Brohn UK, FACT, Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres, Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, Tenovus, Breast Cancer Haven, and The Christie Hospital. The charity also has its own special project, providing funding to hospitals across the UK to purchase Scalp Cooling systems, special machines which help many people undergoing chemotherapy to retain their hair.
For more information, photographs and quotes, contact:
- Sally Orr at Walk the Walk. 07796 080 675 [email protected]
- Claire Duncan at Walk the Walk. 07834 530 307 [email protected]
Notes to Editors
Walk the Walk
- Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive, set up and leads the grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk
- Walk the Walk is passionate about encouraging women and men to become fitter and healthier and take control of their own wellbeing
- In 1996, Nina woke up with the idea of Power Walking the New York City Marathon in a bra to raise money for breast cancer
- Nina was diagnosed with breast cancer herself shortly afterwards, which was the starting point for Walk the Walk and the first MoonWalk London in 1998
- Walk the Walk has now raised over £113 million. Funds are granted for breast cancer research and to help improve the lives of people with cancer now
- Walk The Walk organises the following events:- The MoonWalk London (13th May 2017), The MoonWalk Scotland (10th June 2017), The MoonWalk Iceland (17th June 2017), The Inca Trail Peru, and The Arctic Marathon – a 26.2 mile backcountry skiing challenge in the far north of Lapland
- Additionally, Walk the Walk takes walkers to events including the Berlin Marathon, New York Marathon, Paris Marathon, Dublin Marathon and the Nijmegen Marches.
- Since it launched, Walk the Walk has made grants for research to Breast Cancer Now, for its Generations Study, the Legacy Study into Secondary Breast Cancer and the UK’s first ever Breast Cancer Tissue Bank
- Walk the Walk has also funded a pilot study by charity Medical Detection Dogs to investigate if dogs that can already smell cancers, can distinguish breast cancer from other types of cancer
- Walk the Walk is also committed to providing funding to hospitals across the UK to purchase Scalp Cooling systems, special machines which are helping many people undergoing chemotherapy to retain their hair. Grants have so far been made for 640 machines in 270 hospitals
- Grants from Walk the Walk have also been made to the following charities, to help improve the lives of people with cancer: Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres, Penny Brohn UK, Tenovus, Breast Cancer Haven, The Christie Hospital, Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, FACT, and a pilot study for ACUS to develop a better and more efficient catheter. In Scotland, 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
- For more information, and to sign up for all Walk the Walk’s challenges, as a Walker or a Volunteer, go to www.walkthewalk.org
The MoonWalk London 2017
- Saturday 13th May 2017, Clapham Common
- 2017 will be the 20th MoonWalk London
- Two walking challenges are available: Half Moon (13.1 + 2 miles) or Full Moon (26.2 miles)
- This year’s theme is “The Roaring Twenties”
- All participants must be aged 13 and over to take part
- Entries are open at www.walkthewalk.org
The MoonWalk Scotland 2017
- Saturday 10th June 2017, Holyrood Park
- Thousands of women, men and children walked through the streets of Edinburgh at Midnight, with those aged 13 and over wearing Walk the Walk’s trademark brightly decorated bras
- Four walking distances were available: New Moon (6.55 miles – minimum age 10 years old); Half Moon (13.1 miles) and Full Moon (26.2 miles) – both minimum age 13 years old; Over The Moon (52.4 miles – minimum age 18 years old)
- This year’s theme is “Jungle Safari”
- Entries are open at www.walkthewalk.org
