Some of Twin Peaks 2002 team, who will this year be joined by the Mayor of Swindon David Cox, at a planning meeting in the council chamber. Denise is pictured front centre.

Denise Jones writes of her experiences on the Moonwalk in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Bristol Cancer Help Centre

I read about the Moonwalk in The Link magazine, in January 2001 and a friend asked if I was interested. Yes, I thought I could manage a few miles, I'm quite fit with six dogs and two horses, so this should be no problem, but little did I know what lay ahead.

Training walks started at the Link Centre on Tuesday evenings. Week one my friend Lindsey and I were there in old trainers, jogging trousers and a windsheeter. Off we went, the organiser Eunice Salmon in front, and as we didn't want to lose the way we tried to keep her in sight. To be honest, the speed was such a shock, Lindsey Dredge and I arrived back about ten minutes after the others.

Week two: this time I was definitely going to keep up. It was hard not ever having walked at this speed before. I really felt I would never be able to do this for 26 miles, as we only did four miles. But I sent in my entry form and felt good about doing so.

You have to bear in mind I am not a youngster, although not old. The only real exercise I've taken part in has been to chase my kids about for 18 years. Walking my dogs is nothing like walking with Eunice. The next few weeks got a little easier and I looked forward to Tuesday nights even if the weather always seemed appalling. It was nice making new friends and we all felt part of a team, whatever speed we were walking. By the time May came my bra was decorate and I was very excited.

We travelled by coach to London and arrived in plenty of time, the atmosphere was great. Seven thousand women and a few men, all out to take part for a good cause. Pasta eaten, photos taken, Eunice, my friend and I got as close to the starting line as we could, and waited to go. We set off and by luck managed to get to the front. Walking along the River Thames, over Tower Bridge, it was a lovely sight. Thousands of women, both sides of the river people cheering us on, taxi drivers tooting their horns asking us what it was for, it made me feel very proud. Before I knew it, it was 5am and we were passing the Dorchester Hotel. That was the lowest point, tired and hungry, but we kept each other going and before long we only had one more mile to go. Eunice and I felt stronger than ever. I think it was the thought that finishing also meant we could sit down with a cup of tea.

I don't know where our energy came from, but we felt so proud about crossing that line. It was not a race, but it was a feeling of self achievement and doing it for all those women who through cancer cannot at the moment do the walk themselves. I shall be walking for them again this year.

I raised £750 for Breakthrough from friends and relatives. The 200 Swindon Twin Peaks walkers last year raised about £40,000 and £30,000 the year before.

So if you want to take on a challenge, come and join us at the Link Centre. Alternatively sponsor a Moonwalker by calling Eunice Salmon on 871606 or eunice.salmon @ntlworld.com


Open gardens for Breakthrough

Denise Jones and neighbours in Old Shaw Lane are throwing open their gardens on 15 and 16 June.

Could you join them, to show off your garden, sell plants and serve cream teas in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer? To register call Denise Jones on 778070 or Lesley Dredge on 772869 or mail: rwjonesirons@ukonline.co.uk