TWO Huddersfield women completed the Edinburgh Moonwalk in memory of a friend.

Rachael Heeley and Suzanne Drinkwater were among 10,000 who strode out on a 26-mile trek starting and finishing in the Scottish capital.

And they did it with an added incentive.

For they should have been joined by their friend Natalie Jackson, of Meltham, who tragically died just five weeks ago.

Rachael, of Holmfirth, said: “Natalie had done all the training, but was then taken ill and sadly died. She was only 26.

“Suzanne had not done any training for the event but willingly stepped in to walk with us, in Natalie’s memory.”

The pair were joined by another friend and former colleague of Natalie, Emma Heywood, of Bolton.

More than 10,000 people took part in the overnight marathon walk through Edinburgh and are hoping their efforts will raise more than £3m for breast cancer research and care.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly were among those who took part in the capital’s MoonWalk.

Ms Kelly said it was an “incredible night”.

Traditionally participants, which include some men, wear decorated bras as they walk either 26.2 or 13.1 miles.

This year’s theme was Mardi Gras.

Rachael, Suzanne, of Linthwaite, and Emma completed the course through the city centre and out to the coast in a little over eight hours.

Rachael said: “Natalie was very close to us. Her parents live in Meltham and they knew we were doing the walk in her memory.

“She and I had been training when she became ill.

“When her funeral was held there was a collection for breast cancer charities and that raised about £1,000, to add to the £700 we raised doing the walk.

“It was a fantastic experience, especially seeing the sun come up over the coast as we were on the walk.”