IT will be a family affair for an NHS staff nurse from Lochgelly as cancer patients inspire her to take on a charity challenge.

Angela Johnstone has worked at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for more than 20 years on the wards and in the endoscopy department.

Her sister-in-law, Lorna, works in the same department and Angela's daughter, Kerrie, is also a staff nurse.

Along with Lorna’s daughter Ainslie, they will be participating in this year's The MoonWalk Scotland, organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.

On Saturday, September 9, women and men wearing brightly decorated bras will once again be walking marathons through the streets of Edinburgh at midnight.

The team will be walking the Half Moon - a distance of 13.1 miles - to raise money for the charity.

Angela, 61, commented that she is set to undergo the challenge for all the patients who have had, or are going through, a cancer diagnosis.

“Through my work as a staff nurse, I’ve met several people recently who started their cancer treatment late because of the pandemic," she said.

"This has really motivated me to take part in The MoonWalk Scotland 2023 – I’m walking for all patients who have had a cancer diagnosis, or are going through treatment at the moment.

"I’ve worked at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for more than 20 years and absolutely love my job.

"For many years, I was on the wards, but more recently, I’ve moved over to the endoscopy department, which is a wonderful department to work in.

"The period during and after the pandemic has been very challenging though – inevitably lockdown meant that people weren’t seen as quickly as they should have been. I’m sure it was exactly the same in all hospitals.

"We had patients who were relocated, operating theatres were turned into Covid units and staff were reassigned to the Intensive Care Unit."

She continued: "Waiting times have now improved a lot, but in the early days after the pandemic, it was heart-breaking to see patients come in, whose treatment had been delayed.

"I’d always wanted to take part in an event like The MoonWalk Scotland, but these patients and so many others like them have given me a push to finally do it!"

Lorna and Ainslie have completed The MoonWalk previously and "loved the amazing atmosphere on the night", and Lorna invited Angela and Kerrie to join them this year.

"I had no hesitation in saying yes," Angela remarked.

"I’m quite an active person anyway – I cycle and go to the gym – but I’m really looking forward to the training, to the event itself and to raising money for such an amazing cause.

"I’m planning on making tablet and packing it up into little bags to sell at work.

"It’s often easier to encourage people to make donations for something specific, rather than asking them for sponsorship all the time.

"And the added benefit is that people enjoy getting something for their donation!

"I’m hoping to put a collecting pot in our staff room at the hospital too.

"Times are very difficult financially for everyone right now, but I know that every pound our team raises will make an incredible difference.

"If like me, you’ve been thinking for years about signing up for The MoonWalk Scotland, but haven’t taken that final leap – just do it!

"You’ll be raising money for a really important cause and the training for the event is a fantastic way to keep fit too.“

To sign up for The MoonWalk Scotland 2023, please visit: www.walkthewalk.org