With only a month until our 2019 series of autumn walks kicks off, we wanted to find out why people are uniting to take strides this year and what The Twilight Walk means to them.
These seasoned walkers also have some words of wisdom and handy tips for anyone taking part for the first time this year!
Why Julie’s walking
Julie is walking in Edinburgh this year. Her daughter had a brain tumour removed at the age of 22.
Q. What does The Twilight Walk mean to you?
It’s my way of doing something rather than nothing. It’s about raising money and awareness of brain tumours so that one day, through research funded by the money raised, no mother will ever have to go through what I went through.
Q. Why are you taking part in The Twilight Walk again this year?
I’ll be taking part in this year’s walk, as I will every year, until we get my daughter to the 10-year all clear mark.
This is year 5 of those 10.
Q. What would you say to people who’ll be taking part for the first time this year?
Enjoy it! See what you’re doing as a monumental effort into finding a cure.
Walk, one step in front of the other, as part of an army of red – those affected, loved ones, relatives and friends, all connected in one cause. Forget about the weather and the distance. Focus on your reasons for being there and that gets you to the end.
Why Suki’s walking
Suki and her family set up The Raj Rana Fund in the name of her son, who died last year from a brain tumour, aged 8.
Q. What does The Twilight Walk mean to you?
It’s a chance to raise awareness and take part in an event that’s really well organised. It’s great to come together with others who are fighting for the same cause as you.
Q. Why are you taking part in The Twilight Walk again this year?
The Raj Rana Fund have attended every year and seen it grow so much year after year, which is fantastic. We’ll walk in memory of Raj again and because we still need to find a cure. No parent or family should have to lose a child like we did. We have some exciting plans to incorporate Raj’s personality into this year’s walk!
Q. What would you say to people who’ll be taking part for the first time this year?
It’s a lovely evening and there’s a great atmosphere. There’s lots going on throughout the walk and some lovely volunteers who will cheer you on along the way. My tip is to bring snacks for the walk!
Why Emma’s walking
Emma’s mum Carol was diagnosed with an inoperable meningioma in 2017 and died less than six months later, leaving the family shocked. They held their own walk in her memory last year.
Q. What does The Twilight Walk mean to you?
Having experienced this terrible diagnosis in our family, we wanted to help fund research and support for other families who find themselves in the same situation in the future. We organised our first walk last year and invited family and friends.
We were lucky to have a lovely sunny October afternoon and walked along the North Wales coast from Abergele to Llanddulas, sharing memories and stories. My mum lived her whole life in Abergele and loved the beach and surrounding countryside, so it made us feel very close to her.
Q. Why are you taking part in The Twilight Walk again this year?
Because I’m committed to raising more money for The Charity.
We’re going to do another walk this year on Sunday 13 October, somewhere in the Stockport area.
Q. What would you say to people who’ll be taking part for the first time this year?
Don’t overthink it – set a date and decide on a suitable route for your walkers. We chose an out-and-back route so it would be easy for people to do as much as they felt able. However, everyone ended up doing the whole six miles – even the youngest children and the elderly dog!
Also, get your fundraising pack and advice from your local community fundraiser. They’re there to help make your walk a success! We had lots of support from Kerry and she organised t-shirts and medals, which everyone loved.
Stride towards a cure with us!
Our flagship event, The Twilight Walk, is back!
This inspiring event sees our community across the world unite to propel progress towards a cure.
Join us in-person at our first ever London Twilight Walk, or stride out remotely and tackle a Twilight Walk Own Walk.