A CALL has gone out for West Devon to think pink, put on the walking boots and help raise a record amount of money for breast cancer research this summer. The Pink Ladies' Committee of Hatherleigh and Okehampton would like to see as many people as possible take part in the third annual 'Moor Walk' to raise funds for breast cancer research. This year's event will start from Okehampton Rugby Club at 11am on Sunday, June 1. Mary Barkwell, Moor Walk organiser, said: 'We have such fun with this event and we get tremendous support from the people from across West Devon. 'We want to make it a record turnout this year, so if you want to spend a few hours having fun, getting fit and raising money for a good cause, please call 01395 28705 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] for an application form. You can all make a difference.' There will be a choice of running or walking a 6 mile or a 13 mile route, with people being able to decide which one they want to do on the day. The event is open to anyone — women, men, children and even dogs are all welcome to join in the fun and help support the cause. The crossed pink ribbon is the breast cancer symbol and people will be encouraged to make pink the colour of the day by dressing up in the colour. Organisers have said that the wackier the costume, the better. Last year the event raised more than £15,000 in sponsorship. This money has been used to fund breast cancer research across the UK, including clinical trials taking place in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Debs Crome, from South Zeal, who took part last year, said: 'I would encourage people to sign up for Moor Walk and help raise funds for breast cancer research. 'Everyone had a brilliant time last year dressing up in pink, soaking up the atmosphere, chatting to walkers and generally having a very sociable time while raising vital funds. 'Many participants were breast cancer survivors themselves, others were there to support members of their family.' Cancer Research UK is the leading funder of breast cancer research in the UK, spending £25 million last year on this form of cancer alone. Each year 42,000 women in the UK and 11,000 in the South West are diagnosed with breast cancer and one in nine women in the UK will develop the disease at some point. But thanks to research, better treatments and earlier detection, the death rate for breast cancer has fallen by a fifth over the past decade.
