'Uplifting' bras and pants charity walk returns

A "fun and uplifting" charity walk encouraging fundraisers to wear decorated bras and pants is returning to a country park in Leicestershire.

More than 300 participants are expected to pass through Bradgate Park, in Newtown Linford, as part of the three-mile (4.8km) Freeze Your Bits and Bobs Off walk on Sunday.

Bradgate Rotary Club, which is organising the event for the third year, said the previous walks had raised more than £34,000, with this year's money going to Breast Cancer Now and local charity PROSTaid.

Co-organiser Alan Rockey said everyone who took part in the walk "engenders the community spirit".

The initiative was started by the club as a thank you after two of its members were treated at Glenfield Hospital for breast cancer.

In 2024, the walk saw 270 people take part, raising £16,500 which was put towards refurbishing the hospital's breast care centre.

The proceeds funded a mammography chair, two bariatric chairs and teaching aids, as well as work to make the unit more welcoming and calming for patients.

Last year, about £18,000 was raised by 330 walkers and was divided between Breast Cancer Now and PROSTaid, which funded an additional nurse.

Rockey, whose wife is taking part, said: "The people fundraising are walking for personal reasons.

"They've been affected by cancer one way or another, either themselves or family or friends, and they hope to make a difference."

The 74-year-old, who has been with the rotary club for nearly five years, said the walk, although for serious causes, was "light-hearted" and open to all.

"It's amazing," he said.

"People really enjoy it and it's fun and uplifting, with lots of laughter."

This year's walk will begin at the Newtown Linford entrance of the park at 10:00 GMT and will travel to Hallgates car park and back - taking about three hours.

The route, which will be mostly flat and wheelchair-friendly, will have views of Old John and pass the ruins of the ancestral home of Lady Jane Grey as well as the Deer Barn Tea Rooms.

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