A HEALTH charity, whose founder is a Wokingham resident, has awarded Cancer Support UK £48,941.
Walk the Walk’s grant to the cancer charity will help them provide increased practical and emotional support for people living with and beyond the disease.
Walk the Walk is best known as the organiser of the popular MoonWalk London, when thousands of women and men walk overnight marathons through the city’s streets, wearing decorated bras or colourful bra t-shirts.
The city fundraiser makes grants like this one to Cancer Support UK possible.
Thanks to the award, the charity can produce and deliver 750 cancer kits and provide 150 cancer coach support programme places for people struggling with anxiety and mental health issues.
They will also be able to train two volunteer facilitators to help deliver the cancer coach programme.
Nina Barough CBE, is founder and chief executive of Walk the Walk.
She said: “I’m delighted to share that Walk the Walk have awarded a grant to Cancer Support UK.
“I know from my own experience how frightening and isolating a breast cancer diagnosis can be.
“The work which Cancer Support UK is doing to help support cancer patients through an incredibly difficult time really is life-changing.
“Working together, our charities can make such a huge difference to so many people.”
Through its cancer kits and cancer coach services, Cancer Support UK aims to reduce people’s isolation and loneliness, and improve their mental wellbeing.
It can also help people to buy the essential items they need during treatment.
Mark Guymer, CEO of Cancer Support UK said: “We are extremely grateful to Walk the Walk for this generous grant.
As a small charity we receive no government support – our income is entirely made up of donations, gifts and grants, which are all vital in keeping our services running.
“Our cancer kits are designed to provide relief to cancer patients during their gruelling treatment journey.
“Recipients tell us that the kits mean a great deal to them, making them feel less alone, offering comfort and practical relief from the pain and discomfort of treatment.
“A cancer diagnosis can be life changing, but going into remission can be equally difficult to navigate.
“Our cancer coach programme gives people who have completed cancer treatment, the tools to support better mental health when moving into life beyond cancer.”
Walk The Walk’s next moonlit London event will take place in May.
People wanting to take part are encouraged to sign up now.
Ms Barough, said: “Grants like this one to Cancer Support UK are very exciting news for Walk the Walk’s wonderful fundraisers – I cannot thank these fantastic people enough.
“The MoonWalk London is an incredible, fun-filled fiesta of a night, bringing many people together, putting one front in front of the other and achieving a personal goal, whilst helping others.
“Come and see for yourself, it is breath-taking.”
The event takes place in the capital, on Saturday 18 May.
For more information, visit: www.walkthewalk.org and www.cancersupportuk.org
