Our History

How it started

Walk the Walk came into being 10 years ago when just 13 women power walked The New York Marathon in their bras to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. What started out as a once only fundraising event has blossomed into a thriving charity raising to date in excess of £40 million for breast cancer research and cancer care

The charity was founded by Nina Barough who at that time had a styling and production business. Nina woke up one morning with what seemed a brilliant idea – to Power Walk the New York marathon in decorated bras to raise money for breast cancer. What makes this story so incredible is that Nina at that time had no experience whatsoever of fund raising, or taking part in a marathon nor did she know anyone who had been affected by breast cancer.

In November 1996 the dream became a reality when 13 women took to the streets of New York in decorated bras. Although the main idea was to have fun….it resulted in raising over £25,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research. Word soon got around and people started to call Nina asking her if they could join her “next event”. Due to her work commitments it was doubtful if that would happen but then fate intervened. In January 1997, Nina not only discovered that she had breast cancer but that it was an aggressive tumour (which she had most probably had for about three years). As a result her world was thrown upside down, she had to give up her business and enter into a programme of treatment. As is often the case in these difficult times, those around her felt very helpless so it seemed that to Power Walk the London Marathon would really be a positive way to support her. The 1997 London Marathon was again a huge success for the Walkers raising in excess of another £25,000 and was closely followed by the first Walk the Walk auction of decorated and designed celebrity bras. Only days later, Nina was in hospital undergoing a mastectomy. This was followed by a course of radiotherapy, Tamoxifen and Zoladex injections.

And so The MoonWalk is born

In the spring of 1998 a Walk the Walk team entered the London Marathon for the second time but as most people know, places for this event are extremely hard to come by. Only 25 people received places but there were a further 25 who failed to get in. Not wanting to disappoint them or waste their fundraising and training, Nina decided to create a one off marathon for these girls. The nearest to being part of the London Marathon would be to start at midnight and finish at seven in the morning on the day of the marathon. The 25 intrepid walkers plus friends set off at midnight and completed their marathon at 7.00 am on Sunday morning in Trafalgar Square……and so The MoonWalk was born.

It was clear by November 1998 that word was spreading and that many people wanted to Walk the Walk. Nina took the first steps to setting up the charity and finding the sponsors that would help to fund her and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since that day Walk the Walk’s flagship event The MoonWalk has become a major annual event. It is the only Power Walking marathon in the world that starts at midnight with thousands of dynamic women and men wearing bras!

Walk the Walk has always been committed to not only raising funds for breast cancer research and cancer care, but is also passionate in encouraging women and men in becoming fitter and healthier, taking more responsibility for their own wellbeing as a vital part of prevention.

Scientific research, our future

From the very first walk in 1996, our money has been granted to Breakthrough Breast Cancer to help fund their research centre which was opened in 1998. The scientists there produce a co-ordinated programme of research to develop new methods to diagnose, treat and prevent breast cancer. In April 2004, The Breakthrough Nina Barough Pathology Laboratory was opened in recognition of the contribution that Walk the Walk has made. The laboratory is based in The Royal Marsden Hospital and was the first footprint to link research and science to actual patients.

To date Walk the Walk has funded some key research projects, including granting 50% of the set-up costs of The Generation study. This is perhaps the most adventurous, largest and most comprehensive investigation ever to be undertaken into the causes of breast cancer. Over 100,000 women will be monitored over the next 40 years and in due course it will not only be possible to compare the risk factors in the women who develop breast cancer with those who do not, it is thought that information will also be revealed that will help with other diseases and cancers.

Holistic cancer care, helping people with cancer now

In 2000, Walk the Walk began to grant funds to The Penny Brohn Cancer Care (formerly the Bristol Cancer Help Centre ) which, working in conjunction with conventional treatments, promotes the benefits of an holistic approach, including nutrition, healing, and relaxation, encouraging people to take control of their treatment by adopting a lifestyle that can strengthen both mind and body.

The centre is now famous in its approach and receives visitors from all over the world. . Nina visited the Centre herself as part of her own treatment and has since become very passionate about the work that they do. Money granted by Walk the Walk has enabled them to continue with more security and embark upon new projects

Cancerpoint, which has been largely funded by Walk the Walk, was set up 4 years ago. It operates a drop in service for people living in the South West. Each person has an assessment and then has the opportunity to take up a variety of complementary and self-help techniques by individual appointment; over 2,500 have been created by this scheme in the last year and have enabled the centre to see many more patients than their residential facilities would allow

This year, again with the help of Walk the Walk, the centre's largest and most adventurous project became a reality. On November 16th their new home opened its doors for the first time. This new home will enable them to expand all their activities and allow many more people to benefit from this healing and nurturing environment. This is an exciting time for Penny Brohn Cancer Care but also for Walk the Walk. In recognition of the support and funding that we have given to them, the building has been named in honour and is called the Nina Barough Aubertin and Walk the Walk building.

Last but not least, as a result of Walk the Walk funds, the centre has been able to introduce a lo-call telephone number (0845 123 23 10) and has developed a designated email service thus increasing accessibility to many many thousands of people

Walk the Walk becomes an official charity

It is hard to believe that Walk the Walk has only been an official charity for such a short time. Nina had managed to turn a simple idea into a dynamic charity which promotes a healthy and fit lifestyle and at the same time raises significant funds for breast cancer research and care. Nina’s passion for healthy eating and exercise has inspired many others; in fact joining Walk the Walk is often described as a life-changing event. Many women and men who have never power walked or been involved in any sort of fitness before are becoming ardent walkers. It appears that Walk the Walk is achieving its goal of encouraging women and men to become more aware and responsible for their own health and wellbeing.

Walk the Walk steps into the future

Walk the Walk has made quantum leaps each year as we raise more money. Often called the "Health" or "Lifestyle" charity the impact of "walking the walk" has empowered many. 2007 was a magnificent year; we had teams walking in more events than ever before and we held a grand 10th year celebration for The Playtex MoonWalk.

We broke all records by raising £8.5 million from all our challenges. Our first daytime event The SunWalk in Bristol on the 9th July was three times the size and has encouraged many young people to get walking. Our second International Moonwalk in Edinburgh was a huge success and having raised £2.4 million, far exceeded our expectations! We are very excited that these funds will be used to support cancer patients in Scotland and make an impact in their journey through this horrendous disease. We aim to support Maggie’s and The Breast Cancer Institute.

In our goal to get the world walking, Walk the Walk now hold trade marks and licenses for most countries. Our biggest challenge going forward is to transport the dynamic energy, the camaraderie and spirit of unity to all those countries that The MoonWalk will touch. Our vision for the future is that one day MoonWalks will happen throughout the world on the same magnificent night making a difference too many!

Our motto is to raise money, raise awareness, get fit and have fun! The future is looking very bright for Walk the Walk so watch this space.