It’s bra-vo for charity mums

May 28 2009 by Katy Gordon, Blairgowrie Advertiser

TEN Burrelton mums are getting ready to don their decorated bras for this year’s Moonwalk.

Dubbed “Fit For Forty”, the group have been working hard to prepare for the 26-mile night-time walk through Edinburgh next month and have already raised around £2,500.

Suzanne Spalding, a district nurse at a practice in Coupar Angus, explained: “We decided to do the Moonwalk as we all know women who have been affected by breast cancer.

“Unfortunately we were too late to enter the Moonwalk last year, but this year we were definitely going to do it.

“We started by taking the lease for the Coupar Angus charity shop for a week starting on April 27.

“Each of the girls was there at some point, and one girl’s mother-in-law was there every day.

“And we raised an amazing £2,200. Then we took our remaining stock and sold it at the sales room in Scone and we got a cheque for £250.”

Suzanne and the rest of Fit For Forty were also quick to thank all of those who visited the charity shop and added to their rising total.

But training for the Moonwalk, which will take place in Edinburgh on June 20, is taking up most of the women’s time.

“We are walking for three hours every Sunday morning, and it’s quite hard. We all have children so it’s trying to fit in training that doesn’t interfere with everything else.

“My dog is getting fit with me though, and the dogs have been helping us on.”

Next on the agenda is a 20-mile walk, with plans to do a circular route in and out of Burrelton twice.

“There is a training routine the Moonwalk people send out and it suggests a 20-mile walk.

“We are going to try and do it one evening to get used to walking at night, and we are aiming for four miles an hour.

“The walk starts at midnight so tiredness is definitely going to be a factor.”

All of the families of the women have been extremely supportive, even if Suzanne reckons “they think we are mad”.

And in a bid to be as prepared as possible, the women have even had a walk in their bras to make sure they are comfortable on the night.

“We are going to have a wee party to decorate our bras,” Suzanne explained. “But right now we are trying to figure out ways to decorate them to cover up as much as possible!”

The annual Moonwalk in the capital raises money for various breast cancer charities.

If you would like to donate to Fit For Forty’s efforts, phone 01828 670292.