Bra walk to help midwife with cancer make memories

Rachel estimates that 150 people turned up for the bra walk in Scarborough

A midwife said she felt "supported and loved" after her friends and colleagues organised a bra walk in her honour as she undergoes treatment for cancer.

Rachel McCormack, from Scarborough, was diagnosed with incurable metastatic breast cancer in July, 10 years after she was first treated for the disease.

The 38-year-old has previously completed challenges to help charities, but her supporters wanted to fundraise to fulfil Rachel's own dream of buying a campervan to make memories with her husband and five-year-old daughter.

"It was amazing but a little bit overwhelming to see so many people in one place that want to talk to you, but it was indescribable how supportive it was," she said.

Organisers estimated about 150 people turned up for the walk on the Scarborough coast on Sunday, donned in glow sticks and mostly wearing bras over their clothes.

"But some were in just bras on a dark October's night, it was definitely commitment and dedication to the cause," Rachel said.

The event was arranged by midwives from York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Rachel was joined by her friend and colleague Cara Hayes on the walk

Rachel has previously completed runs and hikes alongside her hospital colleague Cara Hayes to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Macmillan.

She has also donated her hair to children going through cancer treatment and alopecia.

"When I found out that I was going to be parting ways with my hair again I decided rather than letting it go down the plughole, to donate it to the Little Princess Trust," Rachel said.

"There's no other option for me other than to be practical and get on with it.

"I've got a five-year-old, I've got a husband, I've got a job, I've got bills to pay, so I've just got to get on with it and I might as well raise some money and raise awareness at the same time."

Inspired by her efforts, Cara set up a Just Giving page for her friend, which has already reached more than £7,000.

"When she was diagnosed we were talking about making memories with Rachel's daughter and all the big trips she could do. But Rachel, being practically minded, didn't want to disrupt the routine of her daughter's life," Cara said.

"She wants her to still go to school, make friends, do all of those normal things, so if we can get her a campervan it can just give them an opportunity to do those spontaneous trips.

"If it's a nice night, they can all go watch the stars, eat marshmallows, and make memories that are more accessible and normal."

The bra walk helped to raise more than £700 for Rachel

To aid the fundraiser, Laura Coleman and Abbi Boden set up the bra walk, which also featured a bake sale and coffee van.

More than £700 was raised from bucket donations and coffee and cake sales.

"There were people putting into the buckets who weren't there for the walk, but who could sympathise with what's going on, so having that was very humbling as well," Cara added.

The overall goal to get Rachel a campervan is £15,000, which her colleagues at Scarborough's maternity unit hope to reach through a series of events.

Speaking about the campervan, Rachel said: "Whether it's just down the road or right up to the north coast of Scotland, I don't care as long as we're together and can spend a bit of quality time together.

"It'll be incredible and to know where it's come from and just to feel that love every time that we get into it, it's going to be amazing."

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