Showcase: Walk the walk

Over ten years on the go against breast cancer. There are really good ideas that can result from lengthy deliberations – and there is the kind of brilliant idea that literally just comes to mind in the middle of the night. Nina Barough woke up one morning following one of those lightning flashes of inspiration: in order to raise money for breast cancer research she decided to participate in the New york marathon – by power-walking the route wearing a decorated bra. Twelve friends joined her in that inaugural event and triggered the start of an incredible adventure that has since seen the walk the walk charity raise over 27 million pounds. 

At the time Nina, who was close to 40, had no experience of marathons or fundraising. She didn’t even know anyone personally who suffered from breast cancer. But soon after the first walk and in a cruel twist of fate, Nina herself contracted breast cancer which only strengthened her determination to take walk the walk to even greater heights. Nina Barough has defeated cancer and today her moment of inspiration has become a multi-million pound charity with a succession of walk the walk events that have captured the imagination of women worldwide. 

The showpiece event – the playtex moonwalk – is staged each year, starting from london’s famous hyde park where last year over 15,000 women took part. it is the second-biggest event of its kind in the capital next to the london marathon. even prince Charles has given the charity the royal seal of approval by becoming walk the walk’s patron. 

The success story of the pink galaxy not too long ago, a huge and festive tent surprised the temporary structure market. created in yellow and blue, “The new galaxy” by De Boer became the unparalleled favourite for all special mega events since 2003, hosting such international extravaganzas as the MTV europe music awards. While Nina Barough’s increasingly popular “walk the walk” event rented the New galaxy, together with de Boer’s traditional white structures, de Boer’s former Ceo was so fascinated by Nina’s energy and ambition that, during a conversation, an individual version of the giant galaxy was promised… And the pink galaxy was born – the first-ever de Boer tent in pink! 

What followed has been a unique experiment for de Boer so far. Based on “the.New galaxy”, de Boer planned a new and even bigger tent. with a specially designed canvas cover in hot pink it was fabricated in the paris branch of the French manufacturer vSo. From there, it started its journey to england. Not in one piece though – after all, the pink galaxy weighs hundreds of tons. With floor space of over 9,000 m2, the structure has been submitted to guinness world records in a bid to be recognised as the largest “travelling” tent of all time. measuring 60 × 152 m, it is significantly bigger than a football field. 

To enable it to be constructed in one of london’s royal parks special permission was required from the parks’ Authorities. the entire tent had to be erected within three days – a masterstroke in itself which could only be accomplished with a crew of 50 men working within a tight time frame and in restricted hours of operation – under the direction of a dutch de Boer specialist. the teams were supported by 14 other employees who set up additional de Boer tents all around the pink galaxy for uses such as luggage rooms and information points. Anyone can rent the pink galaxy – under the condition that it is not on one of these magical days in early summer when Nina and her crew need us. Because “walk the walk” and the amazing pink galaxy will be back again this year.