A FUN-LOVING husband and wife proved they are ‘out of this world’ after raising almost £10,000 for a cancer charity.

Irene McIntosh from Inverkip has been taking part in the MoonWalk Scotland event for 10 years.

Her hubby Graham joined her four years ago to support his wife when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Irene, 59, said: “I was a classroom assistant at St Ninian’s in Gourock at the time and we were talking about getting fit.

“It had been the first time it had been held in Scotland and I asked if anyone fancied doing it — my friend Yvonne said she would and that’s how it started.

“We did the full marathon and absolutely loved it.

“Every year I’ve registered and I’ve done it with various groups and friends over the years.”

The power walking challenge is organised by breast cancer charity Walk

The Walk and five years ago the reality of what Irene was fundraising for hit home when her sister Helen Hendry, 67, below, was struck down with the disease.

Irene, who now works in One Cove Road in Gourock, said: “It was very unexpected and made the charity even closer to my heart.

“It was then my husband said he would do the walk with me because it was such a poignant year.

“Helen had quite a hard time — it was awful, she had all the treatment and her hair fell out and then she had a heart attack.

“But she’s got the all-clear now and is doing well.

“Everyone knows somebody going through breast cancer but when it hits your own family it’s a different ball game altogether.”

Irene and Graham, 62, who is charge of the drawing office at Hunterston Power Station, live in Swift Avenue and have three daughters — Susan, 35, Julie, 31, and Linda, 23 — plus two grandchildren Ruaidhri, six, and three-year-old Orla.

They have enjoyed throwing themselves into the fun side of the Moonwalk, dressing as The Krankies and Batman and Robin.
This year’s MoonWalk Scotland takes place on June 10 and leaves from

Holyrood Park in Edinburgh and has a jungle safari theme. 
To register visit www.walkthewalk.org