Fundraisers don their bras in aid of cancer research

Both men and women will converge on Inverleith Park in decorated underwear to participate in the city’s seventh MoonWalk.

The annual marathon and half-marathon are expected to attract more than 8000 walkers tomorrow night, with a theme of Midnight at the Oasis.

The Edinburgh event has raised more than £14 million in the last six years, including more than £2m last year, a figure breast cancer charity Walk the Walk hopes to repeat.

Former Daybreak weathergirl Kirsty McCabe and two of the original Calendar Girls, Christine Clancy and Tricia Stewart, will be among the celebrity walkers.

Meanwhile, children’s author Vivian French, who lives in Morningside, is planning to take part for the first time.

The 66-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and after treatment has been given the all clear.

Her husband David, 60, was diagnosed with penile cancer five years ago, and has recovered, with two of Vivian’s friends having successfully battled bowel and prostate cancer.

Vivian said: “I would really like to take part because, for a start, I love the atmosphere and the fact that everybody wears all these amazing bras.

“It’s really bringing up the interest in breast cancer and does it in such a non- patronising way.”

While the grandmother-of-three was undergoing treatment, she was writing a book called Flight of the Dragons and used some of the words she discovered during her cancer treatment as inspiration for characters. The evil twins in the book are called Globula and Conducta, with their great-grandfather named Old Malignancy.

The route, which starts and finishes at Inverleith Park, takes in Arthur’s Seat, the city centre, Leith and Portobello Promenade, with the walks kicking off at around 11.30pm.

CEO and founder of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough CBE, said: “It is wonderful to be returning to Scotland for the seventh MoonWalk Edinburgh. It is always such a special night.

“It’s just amazing that ordinary people can do something quite so extraordinary.”

Anybody interested in volunteering at the event can register in Inverleith Park on the night.