The Moonwalk London 2011

It seems that everybody I know runs marathons and so on for charity. I tend to respond to this combination of athleticism and altruism with envy: I can’t run more than about 100 metres without feeling as though someone’s standing on my chest; and further, these amazing people are raising money for good causes with their pain. I have no stamina when it comes to running. However, there is one event that I might just have been able to manage – and it’s happening tomorrow.

An annual attempt to raise money to beat breast cancer, the Moonwalk is that famous event in which ladies powerwalk their way through London on a 26.2-mile route – and all in their bras. I should stress that they won’t be wearing just their bras; shorts and trainers are allowed too. But it’s an interesting take on gaining public interest: people line the streets and marvel at those who are prepared to put themselves through pain, and apparently they’ll do the same for a large group of women who are prepared to put their boobs on display.

You may have been made aware of the event through Facebook – most people know someone who has completed the walk – and perhaps you’ve even done it yourself. The general idea is that your bra gets a serious glitzing up – and then you apply yourself to the not small challenge of power-walking a marathon. But the most challenging aspect of this is that it happens overnight.

The Moonwalk starts at about 8pm in the evening of this Saturday (start times are staggered) and goes on until about 11am on the following day. The walk begins and ends in Hyde Park, trailing through some of London’s most monumental places, and the finish line is bound to be quite a joyful mess.

If you want to support those taking part and happen to be awake on Sunday morning, go cheer them on. You can also look out for them throughout the night – if you’re the type that finds themselves on the streets of London in the small hours of the morning – at Hyde Park corner, the Mall, Green Park, St James’ Garden or the Jubilee Gardens.

So bravo, all you brave ladies (and indeed men) donning your bras in public in the name of charity. Fingers are crossed for good weather for you!

The London Moonwalk takes place on Saturday 14 May.