Bra Nicht cash helps dance class

Bra Nicht committee member Maggie Roger (centre) handing over £12,500 to Highland Breast Care Association's Hilda Nicholl and Jan Smyth.

A DANCE class which benefits women battling cancer in the Highlands has been given cash from an annual fundraiser.

Organisers from last year’s Bra Nicht Walk, which involves hundreds of women taking to the streets of Inverness to trek 13 miles in a bid to drum up funds for cancer care in the area, have donated £12,500 to the Highland Breast Care Association (HBCA).

The cash will be used to fund two volunteers from the HBCA to go on a training course to learn the Lebed technique, a light dance class aimed at helping those with cancer. The rest of the money will be used to provide the classes for free at locations across the HIghlands.

Jan Smyth, who volunteers for the HBCA and will be going on the course, said the money is much appreciated.

She said: “The Lebed method of movement and dance is a therapeutic exercise and movement programme originally established for those with breast cancer to help regain and maintain motion and balance, both physically and emotionally.

“The money means that two volunteers from the HBCA can be trained on this method, which is greatly beneficial to some women battling cancer.”

She added: “When we are trained, it means we can go to women in different areas of the Highlands, like Brora or Thurso and help teach them exercises that are beneficial.

“Of course it’s really up to the individual if they want to participate, but a lot of women find courses and exercises really boost how they are feeling.”

Maggie Rogers, who is one of the volunteers who helps get the Bra Nicht Walk together every year, said it was great to give money to support the Highland Breast Care Association.

She said: “One of the reasons we all put so much work into the Bra Nicht Walk is that all the money stays local.

“It’s so important that women in rural parts of the Highlands have access to the same facilities and the same help as more populated towns and cities.”

Hundreds to take to the streets

THIS year a thousand woman are being urged to walk through Inverness in the moonlight wearing decorated bras.

It’s part of an annual effort to raise thousands of pounds for the fight against breast cancer.

And the Highland News Group is pleased to be lending its support as official partners of the Bra Nicht Walk 2011.

The 13-mile walk through the streets of Inverness will take place on June 4, starting at 10pm. The organisers want it to be the biggest and best yet and want walkers from all over the Highlands to sign up now.

The walk has already raised in the region of £130,000 in the previous three years.

The Bra Nicht Walk is a legacy to the memory of MacMillan breast cancer health professionals, Mel Rose, who died in a car crash, and Nancy Hamilton, who succumbed to cancer before the inaugural event she helped organise took place. However, her partner Graham Whyte continues to help organise the fundraiser.

Denise Sutherland, who is part of the small team of volunteers which organises the event, said they need as many people as possible to take part.

She said: “Last year we had a slight drop in numbers, but this year we are really aiming to get the number of walkers up to 1,000.

“It really is for such a good cause and we’re just hoping women across the Highlands will sign up and help out.”

If you would like to enter the Bra Nicht Walk 2011, entry forms are available from the Eastgate Centre, Inverness Leisure or you can enter online by visiting www.branichtwalk.com