TWO care home workers took to the streets of London in their finest ‘glitz and glamour’ to complete a 26-mile walk in honour of residents with breast cancer.
Abbeycrest Care Home, Sonning, manager Sonia Da Silva and home coordinator Tamena Seymour set out into the night to tackle The MoonWalk London, an event organised by breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk.
The Reading pair embraced the event’s glitz and glamour theme, donning matching sparkly outfits, which included tiaras to tackle the course which started at Clapham Common.
They smashed their original £400 donation target, raising a total of £1,534.
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Of the event, Sonia said: “This year’s walk was very special because it was the 25th anniversary. The atmosphere was amazing, everyone seemed excited.
“We heard about people’s stories; some positive stories about how they won the battle against breast cancer and how the money raised is helping so many people.”
The ambitious pair had previously completed the Windsor Memory Walk in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society last October.
Tamena said: “Walking through the streets of London during the night and passing by lit up landmarks such as Battersea Power Station, Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park was incredible.
“It was brilliant seeing everyone dressed up and determined to achieve their goals. We had family and friends cheering for us at different points throughout the walk.”
The walk proved to be both a physical and mental challenge, but the duo supported each other the whole way round and couldn’t hold back the tears as they crossed the finish line.
Tamena said: “We became emotional when we passed the finishing line and got our medals. What a great achievement and endurance test for us”.
Sonia added: “I don’t think we realised just how hard it was going to be walking throughout the night with no sleep. I didn’t know it was possible, but I fell asleep while walking. Luckily, I was holding on to Tamena and didn’t fall.”
The pair recommended anyone who wishes to take on the challenge next year, to stop and rest, sleep well the day before, and get a steady supply of coffee in.
