A team of more than 50 Manchester breast imaging staff, patients and charity fundraisers took on a 10k walk around the city centre for the second year running – all while dressed in inflatable boob costumes.
The group is aiming to raise £20,000 in support of the charity Prevent Breast Cancer, which is headquartered within The Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital – where many women from the region will go for diagnostic tests to confirm if they have breast cancer.
The group of radiologists, radiographers, mammographers, breast care nurses, research nurses, secretaries, support workers and supporters of Prevent Breast Cancer completed their fundraising spectacle on Saturday 6 September.
Named ‘The Mammary Walk’, the route started at the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St Peter’s Square and took them through the city towards Media City, before ending at The Anthologist, also in St Peter’s Square.
Lisa Thomas is a mammographer working at the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital and the driving force behind The Mammary Walk. She said: “Breast cancer impacts over 55,000 women every year and in my work I see first-hand every day the devastation this disease can cause. Early detection is the key to survival, so making sure that people can access screening whenever they need it is hugely important.
“Last year we walked the same route in our costumes and raised over £30,000, and we’re hoping to smash through that target this summer!”
Jessica Ruth, head of income generation at Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “I’m always in awe of the incredible things our supporters do to raise money for us and The Mammary Walk is no exception! Last year’s walk was brilliant; the walkers looked amazing going through the city, and helped raise an amazing £20,000. So many women in the region will be familiar with the Nightingale Centre and its inspirational staff, and this is a great opportunity to say thanks to them all for all they do.”
The charity is currently fundraising to complete the construction of a new National Breast Imaging Academy which is being built next to The Nightingale Centre. The Academy will train 50 new breast imaging specialists a year and allow as many as 13,000 more women to be seen every year. It’s due to open before the end of this year.
Support The Mammary Walk at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/mammary-walk-2025
