Becky’s life-changing experience completing The Moonwalk Iceland

“In January 2022 I went through a huge personal loss and needed a purpose. Selling my home of 26 years, straight after the loss of my dad caused an immense amount of stress and I was in need of an outlet and focus.

I’d watched Walk the Walk’s journeys from afar on social media, hoping that one day I would find the confidence to walk at midnight in my bra to unite against breast cancer. With the encouragement of my work colleague, I stopped talking about it and signed up for the Half Moon at The MoonWalk London.  I couldn’t stop smiling – it was something I’d always wanted to do. My sister, work colleague and I had a ball at The MoonWalk - we dressed up and headed to London on the train, enjoying the amazing atmosphere, all the way from the tube journey to the finish line.

The following year, a post advertising Walk the Walk’s MoonWalk Iceland challenge popped up on my social media feed. I didn’t need to think twice and signed up with my work colleague - I knew it would be a life-changing experience. 

We planned our training walks a year ahead, starting small and getting longer nearer the event. We had lots of fun - a bit too much fun some days!  Occasionally, tiredness kicked in and we asked ourselves why we had signed up: “A Marathon?  In Iceland? In our Bra?  Are we mad?!”  We squeezed in as many walks as we could during our busy work and home lives - no matter how big or small, every step counted.

For our fundraising, we held the most amazing bake sales at work – it felt like we fed the five thousand and we received some generous donations.  Facebook and Instagram were also a great way to share our message and with the help of family, friends, work colleagues and clients, we kept driving donations. We were delighted when we hit our fundraising target.

Unfortunately, just weeks before our Iceland trip, I suffered a knee injury.  I immediately went to a sports therapist, who worked wonders to help ease the pain, although my knee still wasn’t 100%. Then, just two days before we were due to leave, my partner in crime fell ill and was advised by the hospital that she couldn’t travel.  I was devastated for her – I was unsure what to do, but everyone around me gave me so much positive encouragement. My 14-year-old daughter told me that if I didn’t go, I would regret it. “You’ve got this mum”, she told me!   I couldn’t let my partner in crime down, as well as everyone who had supported us over the 12 months of training. My decision was made, and I decided to go – super anxious and wondering if I was mad!

I needn’t have worried. I stayed at a Heathrow hotel the night before our flight – and who should I meet at the shuttle bus stop, but a team of eight fellow Iceland MoonWalkers! They were full of excitement and enthusiasm for the trip and challenge ahead. I never looked back.  At no stage from that point on did I feel that I was on my own. I instantly felt part of a wider team. The Walk the Walk staff members organising the trip were super encouraging and welcoming.  It was so nice that someone else had organised everything for us and all I had to do was ensure that I had my passport and of course walk a marathon!

When we arrived in Iceland, our feet didn’t touch the ground – we went whale watching, did a volcano trek, had a bread making experience and saw mud pools and huge waterfalls. And this was all before the marathon had even started! It was a great life experience with the best bunch of humans…. in a short time, we all gelled so well.

On the day of the MoonWalk itself, my knee was still proving to be an issue, so I was very anxious, until I threw my bra on and met our amazing team in the hotel reception.  Everyone was buzzing, waring fabulous bras - Andy’s was particularly outstanding and uplifting!  I’ve never experienced a room so full of confidence, ambition, and encouragement.  Strong vibes right from the start.

We had a little midnight warm up in front of the hotel in the 24 hour daylight which Iceland experiences at this time of year and then we were off. Everyone was in very good spirits and there was a colourful line up of decorated bras.  I teamed up with a lovely lady, who was also not feeling her best and we encouraged each other. We told each other that it wasn’t a race, that we had each other’s back and that we were doing this challenge together, no matter what.

We found a wealth of strength from each other, singing, playing games, as well as shedding a few tears (mainly me – it was an emotional day)! But there were also some real belly laughs and when the MoonWalk Disco Party Bus passed us, we had a bit of a dance – the Walk the Walk staff on the bus kept our spirits high, with lots of treats and essential hydration.

The scenery around Lake Myvatn was breathtaking, especially in the early hours of the morning - it was surreal to have daylight at 1am, 2am and 3am and all the way to the finish line.  We lost sight of the other teams, but felt strong and supported by each other and the Disco bus.  We also did some soul searching, which I really needed. Halfway around the lake we had a welcome hug and cup of soup from Walk the Walk’s very bouncy Rachael – she was so fully of energy, keeping us on the right track and spurring us on. We never felt alone and the encouragement felt almost constant.

We did hit a wall with not long to go before the finish line – our legs were heavy, and each step felt smaller than the last. Then out of the party bus jumped Walk the Walk’s Charley… what a sight for sore eyes.  She finished the last 5 miles with us – thank you! She was constantly checking in with us, although conversations were limited, as the tiredness kicked in.  She encouraged me to continue braving the cold in my bra for the final stretch.
  

The finish line was in sight and there were even a few tourists shouting words of encouragement. We crossed the finish line with open arms, huge hugs, cheers of delight and a whopping great heavy medal.   We only went and did it.  I cannot put into words how I felt… knackered, but full of mixed emotions and delighted that I had walked a marathon. 

Iceland was truly one of my best adventures, an adopted family of friends who were totally liberating - I found Becky again.  After a few years of losing my way with grief and stress, there you are Becky Morgan.  This was the best therapy and medicine anyone could have given me.

A huge thank you to my partner in crime who was devastated she missed the journey, but gave me so much strength and encouragement to reach my personal goal. We raised a whopping £3,113 – I’m blown away!”  

Thank you for sharing your story Becky! 

Sign up now for The MoonWalk Iceland 2025 and follow in Becky’s footsteps