Walkers brave rain for Genesis Appeal

4:02pm Monday 12th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

AROUND 1,200 people braved heavy rain to complete the Genesis Twilight 10km Walk.

The event - held in aid of Manchester-based breast cancer prevention charity, the Genesis Appeal - was a resounding success, raising £80,000 for the charity.

The walk was opened in Albert Square by 'Shameless' stars Jody Latham and Rebecca Atkinson, and former athlete and Genesis patron, Diane Modahl.

Funds raised from the walk will go to support vital research at the Genesis Prevention Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital. The Genesis Appeal is the UK's only charity entirely dedicated to preventing breast cancer.

Lester Barr, chairman of the Genesis Appeal, said: "Despite the rain, the atmosphere in Albert Square was electric and everyone had a ball.

"I was particularly struck by how incredibly motivated everybody was to take part in the walk - and by all the personal stories of how their lives had been touched by breast cancer.

"It's humbling for me to know that so many people would want to brave the weather and give up their time on a bank holiday weekend to join in this extraordinary event."