Moonwalkers raise nearly £1,000

Bexhill resident Pat Ferrznolo, 60, and 48-year-old Sally Quinnell from Hastings, donned pink tu-tu's and decorated bras to take The Playtex MoonWalk challenge on May 15.

This is the second time the pair have taken the challenge, which begins at twelve midnight in Hyde Park, and Pat said it is no mean feat. "The hardest part was the last six miles.

"We got quite emotional as we thought we couldn't do it, but we spurred each other on and got a second wind."

It took Pat and Sally eight hours to complete the showtime themed walk, enthusiastically pounding the streets of London, having trained for three months.

To prepare for the big day they gradually built up their stamina, taking regular walks through Alexander Park and along the seafront.

They also completed a 22-mile walk which encompassed the Cuckoo Trail near Polegate. But Pat said taking a daytime walk with stops for snacks and drinks isn't the same as walking throughout the night: "It's totally different at night with no sleep and there was around a half hour wait to use a loo!"

Both ladies have a close affinity with cancer and the first time they decided to do the walk was three years ago, shortly after Sally, who at the time had recently suffered from breast cancer, got her all clear.

Pat said: "We did that walk for Sally. We wanted to raise money for breast cancer. But afterwards we said never again!"

However, due to a number of friends contracting cancer they changed their minds.

Pat said: "Three out of five friends/neighbours were diagnosed with breast cancer and two years ago a close mutual friend, Dawn, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. When she was given the all-clear she said she'd like to do the Playtex MoonWalk with us."

However, in December last year Dawn became gravely ill and deteriorated rapidly, passing away in January.

Pat said: "She was determined to do the walk with us and said she'd still be with us, looking down on us and spurring us on."

Places on the MoonWalk are strictly limited to 15,000 and they were soon snapped up this year. So, unable to secure a place, Pat and Sally entered a competition in Good Housekeeping magazine.

They had to give the reasons why they wanted to take part in the walk and were delighted when they subsequently won, not only a place in the walk (which still required them to pay an entry fee), but also entry to the VIP tent.

For more information on future challenges visit the website at: www.walkthewalk.org