SunWalkers get orchestra's backing

Hundreds of women will hike around Bristol in brightly-coloured bras this weekend as part of the annual SunWalk event.

Almost 2,000 men, women and children will be setting off on the power walk from Ashton Court tomorrow to raise money for breast cancer causes.

It will be the fifth time the SunWalk is held in the city and participants and supporters will be able to enjoy a host of entertainments from the main stage.

The chief executive and founder of the charity behind the SunWalk, Nina Barough, CBE, decided last year that Ashton Court lent itself to an orchestra and wanted to create a music event for everyone who turns up.

Bristol Concert Orchestra (BCO) will be playing and will be joined by classical girl band Sahara.

As well as providing music, some of the members of the orchestra will be taking part in the SunWalk.

Bassoonist Wendy Bertram is walking as part of Team Portishead, which is being led by Beth Gibbons from the Bristol-based band.

BCO's creative director and conductor Stephan Hofkes, who performs with orchestras all over the world, said: "The Bristol SunWalk is an amazing event with thousands of people joining together in the most colourful and positive way.

"It's a real celebration with the great aim to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer, both saving and supporting a better, healthier quality of life for everyone involved.

"For me music is one of the most exciting, moving and powerful things in life so the chance for us to bring these qualities to the day is absolutely awesome.

"And we can't wait to launch our classical sounds into the festivities surrounding this tremendous event."

Walk the Walk is a grant-making charity that supports breast cancer causes and research projects.

In Bristol they have supported Penny Brohn Cancer Care and the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, which they provided with scalp coolers to minimise hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Participants will tackle either the 5k, 10k or half marathon route while supporters will be able to benefit from a host of performances

Nina Barough start walkers off with a warm-up before walking the 5k route while pushing her nine-month-old daughter Raphaelle, along with several other babies from the Walk the Walk team.

She said: "I am always excited about the Walk the Walk events and I am particularly excited that we are going to have the new stage this year with the Bristol Concert Orchestra playing.

"We want to create a fantastic music event, not just for walkers but for people to bring picnics and enjoy the day."

● See Monday's Evening Post for a four-page Sunwalk supplement.