Another successful beach walk for the Soroptimist |30 October 2019

A large group of people dressed in pink took to Beau Vallon beach yesterday afternoon to take part in the annual Cancer Beach Walk organised by the Soroptimist International Club of Victoria.

It is one of the last activities that have been coordinated to mark Cancer Awareness month which falls in October.

The beach walk was initially expected to be held earlier in October but was delayed due to bad weather. The weather however yesterday was great, the sea calm and hence many people – mostly women – showed up to walk the world famous Beau Vallon beach in solidarity with cancer patients, survivors and those who have passed away from the disease.

The meeting point was near the Mahek Restaurant at the Coral Strand Hotel where tents were propped up and decorated with pink bunting.

Those who took part were able to walk down to the Boat House and up again at their own pace.

Meanwhile, members of the Soroptimist club were busy handing out leaflets and selling various items and trinkets such as t-shirts, rubber bracelets and phone-covers, key rings and pins.

There were even selling beaded pink bracelets and necklaces that had been hand made by the children residing at Foyer de la Solitude.

Moreover, anyone who gave a donation was rewarded for their kind gesture with a pink ribbon.

Maria Ah-Moye, recently elected president of the Soroptimist, explained that the money that will be collected from this activity will go towards the oncology unit at the Seychelles Hospital.

“The Soroptimist has taken it onboard the maintenance of the unit and the money we collect will be put back into the ward to buy equipment. We are currently in need of new curtains because as you know the curtains in the oncology ward are not made of materials but are disposable ones, so we will need to replace those very soon,” Mrs Ah-Moye explained.

She observed that the large turnout for the beach walk, which first started about six years ago, is proof that people are much more aware of cancer.

“Next year we are planning to do the beach walk at Anse Royale as well. It is far for some people to travel to Beau Vallon, so maybe we should go there and do it with people in the south,” she revealed.

It is yet uncertain whether this would manifest into two separate beach walks on Beau Vallon and Anse Royale or a total shift in location.

The photos accompanying the article show some highlights of the event yesterday.