THE Revd Pauline Long methodist minster at Knighton Methodist church and with pastoral charge of seven other chapels in the surrounding area, has just completed the moonwalk in London. Pauline was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2013 following screening on the breast screening van. She said “I had intended to walk in 2013 because of a relative who had had breast cancer but was told I would not be well enough, my last chemo was on May 3, so they were right I could not have walked then”.

During her treatment Pauline said “there were times when I could barely walk to the kitchen but I was determined to get fit and do the walk. I registered in October for the moonwalk, and decided to do the half moon which is 13.1 miles. I was certain I could get fit enough for that distance”.

The walk took place last weekend and in reality the route meant she and others walked 13.9 miles, around central London from Clapham Common and back. Pauline and her walking companions Dan Gates (youngest son) Jude Long and Catherine Long who are two of her three step daughters, close friend Louisa Haynes who is a youth worker at a Methodist Church in Aldridge and Louisa's husband Andy started at 12.55 and got back at 6.35am having walked in strong winds and some light rain.

Pauline continued by saying “We did the walk in our decorated bras but it was so windy and cold that we had to wear our fleeces and waterproof ponchos but the men looked fabulous in their bras, tutus and leg warmers”.

The charity is Walk the Walk which is a grant making body for Breast Cancer support, research and treatment

Pauline’s team called ‘Plain Loupy and Dandy’ which is a mix of their names before Jude and Catherine decided to join the team have raised over £1,000 with a lot more money to be collected.

People can give online by going on the Walk the Walk web site, searching for Pauline Long and clicking on make a donation or cheques or money can be left at the Methodist Chapel in Knighton.