WHILE most people slept in their beds on Saturday night I joined 14,000 women and 1,000 men on the annual 26-mile Playtex Moonwalk through London, I was part of a team called The Somerset Women and we helped to raise £4million for breast cancer charities.

Prior to the walk we met up with all the walkers inside a marquee in Hyde Park to enjoy the pre-walk entertainment.People of all ages wearing bras decorated in every way imaginable were dancing, chatting, singing and filling the marquee with noise.But, when a minute silence was held before the first walkers set off - you could have heard a pin drop.

Looking around me were people of all ages, sizes and backgrounds thinking of their relatives, friends and colleagues who have been affected by breast cancer. On their bare flesh were the names of the people who were inspiring them to give their all that night. ‘For my mum’, ‘for my nan’ and ‘for my sister’ were just a few.

However, at 11pm the silence was replaced with cheers of support for the brave full moonwalkers setting off on their 26-mile walk.Thousands more set off at 11.30pm on the half moonwalk and at midnight it was our turn.

To say the experience was surreal was an understatement. There I was surrounded by thousands of people walking past London’s famous landmarks under the moonlit sky. Motorists, people walking back from their night out, police officers and hundreds of volunteers marshalling the event all gave their support.Honks of horns and cries of "You are doing really well" helped to keep weary and tired legs moving.

Yellow markers paved the way – nine miles to go, ten miles to go, 11 miles to go – with the night sky turning into daylight. When I realised we were nearing the finishing the line a huge sense of relief welled up inside of me. I had been in agony for the final few miles and the thought that I didn’t want to let anyone down was all that had kept me going.

I crossed the line at 4.40am aching and tired - but more than anything I felt humbled by the whole event and proud that I had been part of such an enormous and worthwhile achievement.

Everyone who took part deserves a big round of applause – and probably a massage as well.

Well done to you all and I hope to see you again at the 2005 Playtex Moonwalk.