A HUNDRED walkers will be putting their ‘breast foot forward’ in a charity event next month.
As part of the tenth Isle of Wight Walking festival, men and women will don bras to stroll between Gurnard and Cowes on 3 May. The fun event also has a serious aim – to increase breast cancer awareness and raise money for Breast Cancer Research.
It is one of 265 walks arranged as part of this year’s IW Walking Festival (3-18 May) which has become the largest event of its kind in the UK. The festival will be officially launched by the Island’s new High Sheriff Alan Titchmarsh on 3 May in Newport. To take part in the bra event, called a Moon Walk because it is held at night, all male and female participants must meet one requirement – wear a bra that is visible at all times.
Isle of Wight Council Events Officer Elaine Cesar said “We are expecting more than 15,000 people to take part in the festival across the fortnight. There are walks to suit everyone, from short ones that take only a few minutes to the twenty-four hour, non-stop around the Island walk. We also try to hold walks that are unusual and capture the imagination — the Moon Walk certainly does that and is just as popular with the men as it will be with women, so much so that it is now full
The festival has become ever more popular with each year. That is because the organisers really try to offer something for everyone – from the serious hiker to the casual walker who wants to have a bit of fun, especially if it is for a good cause. The walking festival is not only an extremely successful way of getting people to take part in exercise it is a genuinely international event that brings many visitors to the Island each year”
More than half of people who have registered for the Festival are visitors to the Island, with many coming from overseas. Undoubtedly the most popular and famous single event is the annual Walk the Wight which is held on Sunday 18 May. Last year, this single event raised over £217,000 for the Island’s Earl Mountbatten Hospice who organise Walk the Wight and it is hope even more will be raised this year. More than 6500 people are expected to take part in this event alone, making it the biggest ever.
Spaces are continuing to be snapped up on various walks across the two weeks. If you are interested in becoming involved you should visit the website at www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.com or pick up a guide booklet from any of the Island’s tourist information centres.
Organised by the IW Council the IW Walking Festival in partnership with the Ordnance Survey, is sponsored by Red Funnel, Wightlink and Millets. Partners are the AONB project, Natural England, IW Tourism, Country Walking, English Heritage, National Trust, Green Island, IW County Press, Ramblers Association, IW Radio, Rights of Way, Walking the Way to Health and Southern Vectis.
