On Saturday 23rd October 2021, a group of “walkers” gathered at the coffee shop in Antrim Castle Gardens. The purpose was to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now on their “Wear it Pink” day to fund life-changing research and support for people diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Walkers
Let’s start by introducing the six walkers to you who all had a connection with breast cancer, either as a patient or a friend/family member of a patient. Looking at the photo above, from the left, let’s meet the brave walkers wearing pink clothing, jewellery and even pink nails!
- Jean Haworth – a member of Mid and East Antrim Walking Group – a five mile walk would be no problem to Jean.
- Elaine Woods – a Duke of Edinburgh Assessor so Elaine was well used to tramping around the Mourne Mountains.
- Kathryn McMurray – another seasoned walker who walked the 100 mile West Highland Way a few summers ago.
- Linda O’Connor – she was just four days out of isolation after Covid so it was incredible that she took part in the walk at all.
- Siofra O’Reilly – not a serious walker but had carried out a few practice walks at Hillsborough Lake with me. Siofra was very enthusiastic about wearing pink including bright pink lipstick.
- Lynda Willis (Me) – the walk was my bright idea and I had persuaded everyone to take part. I walk three miles most days.
The Supporters
We were joined by the Willis family to cheer us along. My eldest son Jonny Willis walked a few laps and took photographs – he was accompanied by his girlfriend Alana Patterson as creative director! My youngest son Jordan Willis walked a few laps and carried the pink balloons. David Willis (my husband) directed operations from the coffee shop although he did walk a few laps, kept the morale up and took photographs too.
Not forgetting Siofra’s husband, journalist Ivan Little who saw the walkers on their merry way and encouraged us to get started.
The Starting Line
Like all good events, it started with a “get to know you” chat over a coffee and scone in the coffee shop at Antrim Castle Gardens. While I knew everyone and gently persuaded them to take part in the walk, not everyone knew each other. So it was absolutely essential to have a bonding session before the kick-off. And of course, we took a few photos to mark the occasion complete with Siofra’s “Wear it Pink” bunting and the pink balloons.
The Walk
The proposed route was five laps of the outer circumference of the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens. We had chosen this location because it was flat, had a coffee shop and toilets – all essential requirements for a group of walkers with mixed abilities.
Jean, Elaine and Linda were first off the starting blocks leaving the rest of us to catch up. Jonny was in the catch-up group so he quickly pulled the group together for some photos on the first lap.
We even had music as we walked courtesy of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council‘s Teddy Bear’s Picnic which was taking place at the same time. Rumour has it that some of the walkers were heard singing along to Neil Diamond’s “Forever in Blue Jeans”, “Mamma Mia” from Abba and even Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” as they walked around the tree-lined paths.
It soon became apparent that there were two types of walkers in the group:
- The Striders – Jean, Elaine and Kathryn – they walked quickly and purposefully. There was no holding them back from getting it finished!
- The Stragglers – Siofra, Linda and me – we were quite happy to dander around stopping to take photos when we spotted something of interest. Plus Siofra’s “balloon hat” gained a few strange looks but she then explained what we were up to and she managed to get a few donations as a result!
Unsurprisingly, the Striders eventually lapped the Stragglers on their last lap but then Kathryn and Jean kindly offered to do a sixth lap to make sure that Siofra and I made it to the five-mile mark.
The Finish Line
At last, we made it around the fifth lap and were greeted at the finish line by Jonny and Alana with the bunting!
The Verdict
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves with plenty of chat and laughter among the walkers. Sore feet and tired? Maybe just a little but we were really pleased to have walked five miles and raised a staggering £2080.70 for Breast Cancer Now.
Will we do it again? Definitely but perhaps we can increase the distance next time!
What you can do?
Well if you were impressed by our walking efforts, we would really appreciate your support for Breast Cancer Now. If you have already donated, thank you very very much. But if you haven’t donated, now is the time so simply click on the blue button below and get your debit or credit card out!
