Ladies who turned a Buchan town pink to raise almost a quarters of a million pounds for local breast cancer research and care will today meet one of the scientists whose work they are helping to fund.
The organisers of the Moonlight Prowl – a sponsored night time walk through the streets of Fraserburgh – are visiting the University of Aberdeen to see Professor Steve Heys who is Cancer Research Programme Leader.
The pink clad ladies are handing over a cheque for £112,000 making a total of £218,000 they have given to researchers following annual Prowls over the last three years.
These funds have been ploughed into four key breast cancer studies involving the University, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary's Breast Centre and the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health.
The projects are exploring why chemotherapy works for some women but not for others; the effects of breast cancer cells on bone; the relationship between diet, the environment and genetics with breast cancer, and the role of spirituality in influencing the outcomes of care for women with breast cancer.
Margaret Jane Cardno, Event Secretary for the Prowl, said: "Three years ago when we first started out we thought it would be great if we could raise enough money from our first Moonlight Prowl to pay for a plasma tv for the community room at the Aberdeen Breast Centre.
"To have raised almost a quarter of a million pounds in just three years to help fund really important breast cancer research projects is just amazing. It also would have been impossible without the participation of our many hard working volunteers and the women who do the walk.
"We are committed to building on the successful partnership we have established with
Professor Heys added: "We are absolutely delighted at the extraordinary efforts of the women who have organised the Moonlight Prowl. We would also like to thank every single person, whether it be a volunteer or walker, who has been involved in this astonishing event.
"It really is quite incredible that what started out as a small community effort has escalated to such an extent that it is now funding four really important breast cancer studies. In fact I think it would be unique that a group of women are funding such an impressive portfolio of work in this way.
"The Moonlight Prowl is enabling us to further our understanding of the causes of breast cancer and also continue to look for more effective treatments."
Margaret Jane and the seven Prowl organising committee members visiting the University will also be joined by Vinia Wood from Bridge of Don who was one of the walkers.
Every year Vinia sets herself a new goal and this year it was to complete the Prowl which is either a 10k or a half marathon.
Unfortunately Vinia was unable to fulfil her ambition this year as she fell and broke her finger during the walk.
However she will hand over the cheque this afternoon when all the ladies meet Professor Heys and get a tour of his lab at the University's Institute of Medical Sciences.