To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), we caught up with South Wales Police Federation member Alima Beynon as she gave an introduction to her ‘Bra Cars’ team, who fundraise for causes linked to the illness.

For five years, PC Alima has led a group of South Wales Police officers in raising money for Walk the Walk, a breast cancer charity formed in 1996 which has gone on to generate millions of pounds for cancer care.

The officers originally joined in support of PC Serian Grenfell, whose mother was receiving treatment for breast cancer at the time – with the team also united by a shared passion to fight against the impact of the illness.

“The specific matter that brought us together was really wanting to be there for Serian – her mum has now sadly passed away from her diagnosis – but like everyone, we also each knew someone else who had been affected by cancer in some way,” she said.

“From the start, we have just wanted to do our bit to help, and we are really proud of everything we have achieved so far.”

The group’s fundraising exploits were kicked off by Walk the Walk’s 2019 Moonwalk, a night-time, London-based marathon or half-marathon designed to be completed at a walking pace.

Entry into the Moonwalk required a team name, inspiring the ‘bra car’ identity that has remained in place ever since.

“You are invited to do the walk in your bra or a bra t-shirt,” Alima explained.

 “And ‘bra car’ is a bit of an old term used by some in the Force for when two or more female officers go out on duty together. So, we chose it as a bit of fun and as a nod to us as police officers for those in the know.”

The fundraiser was a resounding success, generating over £12,000 in donations and even prompting ITV Cymru Wales to produce a segment on the team for their evening news programme.

Incredible support

Alima, who shaved her head for the event in tribute to those living with cancer, continued: “The support we received was absolutely incredible – not just in terms of the overwhelming amount of money donated, but the level of enthusiasm and backing people gave us.

“I include police colleagues in that. We sold Moonwalk-themed badges supplied to us by the charity and everyone you saw would be wearing one around the office. It’s still something we’re very grateful for to this day.

“The five minutes of fame on TV was certainly memorable, too. I think it was just about the right amount of attention for us to enjoy,” she laughed.

After pandemic-enforced breaks in 2020 and 2021, the ‘bra car’ team returned for the resumption of Walk the Walk’s flagship event in 2023 and 2024, where they have since raised another £2,240.

These central efforts have been supplemented by activities such as collection buckets at South Wales Police’s rugby matches and at Sainsbury’s in Pontypridd, as well as cake sales and further badge sales at Force offices.

In this time, the crew of officers has expanded to now include eight members, and is now made up of Alima, Serian, Sally Lloyd, Fran Richards, Chris Knight, Rebecca Southway, Stacey Evans and Claire Beddau.

Cancer Research

The group are also set to diversify the host of their annual event next year, opting for Cancer Research’s five-kilometre obstacle course, Pretty Mudder, instead of the Moonwalk in 2025.

“I’m happy we have a man onboard now, as it reflects the fact that breast cancer affects men as well as women," Alima said.

“In terms of Pretty Mudder, we just wanted a change, I think. The Moonwalk has given us so much as a fundraising group, and we would never rule out coming back to it one day.

“But I think a new, very different challenge gives people that added impetus to donate to us. We are aware of the difficulties of coming back to the same people year in, year out, and we truly appreciate every penny we continue to receive.

“We never take it for granted, and it is an honour for us that we have been able to keep doing what we do for people whose lives are changed by cancer."

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