“Don Your Pearls, Fluff Your Feathers And Party Harder Than Gatsby” is what WalktheWalk.org pitched you for the night of your life walking endlessly through London for charity.
Two weeks ago the trucks and equipment started rolling into the local Common. Families, dog walkers and neighbours looked on as the fences went up sectioning off another large area for a big charity event. Groans of exasperation were heard as yet another high paying renter of the Common would leave a trail of rubbish and destruction for miles.
The marshals guarded the entrance and exits as the massive trucks pulled in and almost out of thin air the large pink domes for Moonwalk 2017 took to the Clapham skyline.
The London Moonwalk is in its 20th year and more than 15,000 people paid £48.50 to help raise money for the “Walk the Walk” breast cancer charity. Each entrant has to raise a minimum of £100 sponsorship and this year £3,133,718 has been raised for UK cancer charities.
It’s an empowering event for women, bringing them together to reflect on a disease that has most likely touched every person taking on the challenge. Men and women are required to wear an exposed bra as they walk the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles or a “Half Moon” of 15.1 miles. We’re told that either walk requires “grit and determination” and that this test of endurance provides a mere glimpse of the challenges faced by sufferers of breast cancer.
Yet as I watched the passing parade of 1920’s- themed pink boas and endless bras I couldn’t help but question whether charity itself has become commoditised and commercialised to the extent that the cause for which these women and men are marching has become lost in all the fun and glitz.
The party-like atmosphere that kicks off the night takes on a different complexion by late morning. Bedraggled walkers limp across the finishing line, hobbling to their cars looking like revellers who’ve pulled an all-nighter.
They are guilt-free as they struggle with sore muscles and injuries rather than hangovers but it is worth considering whether a 26.2 mile sponsored party is the new requisite standard for a charitable cause. Is this the regular person’s charity ball?
And while the press release informs us that “thousands of women” took part in the walk, it seems that they should be grateful that they were chaperoned by “1,000 very brave men”.
By Helen James
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