We’re all just a few steps away from someone who has been affected by breast cancer.

That’s the view of Eleanor Porter, from Maidstone, who will be taking part in the second annual Pink Ribbonwalk to be held in Kent at Leeds Castle this June with her friend Meryl Moore.

“It’s six degrees of separation really,” the 58-year-old said. “At our sort of age we all have close friends who have breast cancer. We all know someone.

“You become aware of how very widespread it is and I see it personally and the bigger picture too. It makes you think about it a lot more.”

The former teacher recently attended a Macmillan coffee morning a few months ago, arranged by someone whose close friend was had a close friend diagnosed with the disease, which inspired her and Meryl to organise their own event for Breast Cancer Care event. She is to make a Victoria sponge specially for the occasion.

The pair will be throwing their all into the pink theme of the walk, which will be held on Saturday, June 7.

The pair are taking part dressed as the “Pink Fluffy Cockapoos”, inspired by Mrs Porter’s puppy Millie, a five-month-old cockapoo.

“Unfortunately Millie can’t do the walk with us, she’s too little - she couldn’t manage 10 miles. But we’ll be wearing pink boas in her honour,” said the mum of three.

Mrs Porter, who took early retirement from teaching due to rheumatoid arthritis, will be doing the shorter route on the day, although there is a 20-mile route available for the more adventurous.

You need to be 16 or over to take part and must raise £100 in sponsorship, to help fund Breast Cancer Care’s specialist services.

It costs £30 to register, with family and friends getting a reduced entry fee for Leeds Castle on the day.

The shorter route takes around three to five hours, the longer one six to nine-and-a-half hours. If you’d like to take partregister, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/walk, or call 0870 145 0101. To sponsor Mrs Porter and Mrs Moore, visit http://bit.ly/1ieCYkn