City comes alive at night for the MoonWalk

PINK fairies, butterflies and Hawaiian hula dancers joined the throng as thousands of people walked miles across the Capital in their bras to raise millions for breast cancer.

Around 10,000 marchers – including 1,000 men – took part in the annual Edinburgh MoonWalk, sporting decorated bras and pink caps.

Organisers are hopeful of raising more than £3m from this year's walk, which kicked off from Inverleith Park at 11.40pm on Saturday.

The final few marchers trickled towards the finishing line yesterday morning after completing the 13 or 26-mile route.

Gillian Hares, 31, of Newtongrange, took part in The MoonWalk for the first time and completed the full 26 miles in just over eight hours.

She said: "It was good and the weather was gorgeous, but I'm so glad it's over. The last six miles seemed to go on forever."

The mother-of-two, who raised £210 in sponsorship, added: "My bra was decorated with all different colours of feathers and blue and purple tartan."

A sea of pink swarmed through the streets of Edinburgh, with the route taking in Arthur's Seat, the city centre, Leith and Portobello Promenade.

The walkers decorated their bras with feathers, sequins, sweets, flowers and flashing lights.

Entertainment was provided prior to the walk, with DJs Grant Stott and Arlene Stewart entertaining the crowds.

Among those taking part in was TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who held a minute's silence before the walkers set off, to reflect on people who are or have been affected by the disease.

She said: "Not only does The MoonWalk help raise awareness and a massive amount of money for breast cancer charities, it is also a deeply moving, hugely enjoyable challenge."

The marchers also enjoyed a party before starting the walk, including music from Louise Marshall Millington – one of Scotland's best known female bagpipers – and The Swing Cats.

Money raised from the event will be donated to a number of breast cancer causes, with £1.5m being used to build a new operating theatre at Edinburgh's Western Infirmary.

The money will also be used to introduce scalp coolers in hospitals across Scotland, which help to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatment.

Nina Barough, founder and chief executive of charity Walk the Walk, which organised the event, said: "It went fantastically well. We had glorious weather and not too many injuries or blisters. Undoubtedly when the sun is shining, it puts a smile on everybody's face very easily."

The council's festivals and events champion, councillor Steve Cardownie, said: "We are delighted to host the event in Edinburgh and hope that The MoonWalk will be in Edinburgh for a long time to come."

STEPPING OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE
THE MoonWalk took place in the Capital for the fourth time this year. Since its introduction in June 2006, the event has raised more than £7m for breast cancer causes.

In 2008, 12,000 people participated, raising a record £2.7m.

Around 2000 fewer women took part in this year's nocturnal walk following a later than normal opening for entries because of uncertainty over the route. The ongoing tram works meant that this year's route had to be changed.

The walk's starting and finishing points were also changed to Inverleith Park, due to concerns that the Meadows were being overused by major events.