Bra walkers funding cancer centre

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7173737.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A new cancer care centre is to be built in Glasgow, using funds raised by thousands of women who trekked through Edinburgh for an annual "MoonWalk".

The fundraising event saw thousands of women wearing decorated bras as they powerwalked through the city at night.

Organiser Walk the Walk has joined with Maggies, which runs centres to help those diagnosed with cancer and their families and carers.

The new building will cost £2.1m and will be set up at Gartnavel Hospital.

Edinburgh's 2006 MoonWalk was the first to be held outside London, where it has been an annual event since 1998.

The participants, including some men, left the Meadows at midnight and travelled either 13.1 miles, a half moon, or the full moon, 26.2 miles.

With the addition of Maggie's Gartnavel we can do so much more Laura LeeMaggie's chief executive

The feat was repeated again last year where television presenter Lorraine Kelly was among those taking part.

The founder of the MoonWalk, Nina Barough, told BBC Scotland that she was amazed at how successful it had been.

She said: "It was very difficult when we actually started the MoonWalk in Edinburgh to know how well it would be supported, or how much fundraising would actually be acheived.

"I think we've completely gone beyond all our goals on both counts and have been able to raise in excess of £4m."

She added: "Glasgow has the highest incidence of cancer of any local council area in Scotland, a second centre is vital and will provide thousands more with exceptional cancer care.

"A huge hug and thanks should go to all those that have taken part in the MoonWalk Edinburgh, without their fantastic support over the past two years and their future support, this grant would not be possible."

Maggie's chief executive, Laura Lee, added: "Maggie's Gartnavel Centre will be very important for people living with cancer and their family and friends because of its accessibility to oncology services at The Beatson.

"We are delighted to be supporting 12,000 visits a year in Glasgow but we know with the addition of Maggie's Gartnavel we can do so much more. Thank you to Walk the Walk Worldwide for this crucial funding."