A BLEAK midge-ridden lake in a country that can go for days without sunlight is hardly the ideal destination for a weekend break.

But power walkers Val Phillips and Mandy Martin are looking forward to their trip to Iceland next May to raise money for Walk the Walk, on behalf of breast cancer charities, by completing a marathon.

Luckily the event is due to take place just a few weeks before midsummer’s day so there will be sunlight virtually around the clock.

The pair are among around 100 members of the Swindon Twin Peaks power walking club who gather and take part in various events through the Walk The Walk cancer fundraising organisation each year, trekking the streets of London, Edinburgh and Bristol among others - decked out in their decorated bras.

Val and Mandy have started their fundraising for the marathon walk around Lake Myvatn - Midge Lake - and hope supporters will join them at their Halloween Party for adults at the Hilton Hotel on October 31 as they aim to bring in between £5,000 and £6,000.

“We have got until September next year before we have to get the money in,” said Mandy.

“But we wanted to do something big to get the fundraising underway as we felt one big event would make so much more than several Sundays collecting at supermarkets.”

Mandy will not be a newcomer to the unusual Icelandic landscape, having visited in the past and with a New Year’s trip also planned, and the pair’s biggest concern will be the lonliness along the 26 mile route.

This summer’s Lake Myvatn marathon saw just 40 entrants in addition to those participating for Walk The Walk, and they both credit the large crowds supporting the walkers at other events as being key to their successful completed walks in the past.

“The weather shouldn’t be any different to here; winter’s more extreme but the summer’s much the same and that’s what it will be when we go,” said Mandy.

“But going round the lake will be pretty bleak and there won’t be much support around the course in general,” added Val.

“It’s not like when we’ve done these events before and there are thousands of people competing and people shouting you on. It’s not a big marathon.”

Having cut up to eight minutes off their times for full and half marathon Moonwalks and Sunwalks, the pair decided the Icelandic adventure would be their next outing - although they will still join the 45,000 participants in the London Moonwalk next years as marshalls.

Anyone interested in joining the Swindon Twin Peaks club, which can be spotted at events in their distinctive Dougal bras inspired by Swindon’s iconic Magic Roundabout, can contact Val on 01793 879661 or Mandy on 01793 827672. Beginners meet at the library entrance to The Link Centre at 7pm each Wednesday. Or visit www.swindontwinpeaks.org.

Tickets for the Halloween Party, costing £28 including buffet per person, can also be booked on those numbers.

The night will feature live music from Popped In Souled Out, a charity auction and raffle, as well as a prize for the best fancy dress outfit.