More than 1,000 people lit up the streets of Birmingham in honour of loved ones last Saturday night when they took part in the annual Shine night walk to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Supporters donned flashing lights and luminous body paint to join the 10k walk from Centenary Square on Westside which wound its way down New Street, passing St Phillips Cathedral, the Jewellery Quarter, Millennium Point, The Mailbox and Brindley Place.
Those who were taking part in memory and in celebration of loved ones decorated candle bags that were lit up along the finish line.
Two-times cancer survivor Dinny Hinds took to the stage to start the walk where it was announced that supporters have so far raised more than £85,000 for life-saving research into cancer.
Dinny, who feared she may never speak or sing again after treatment for tongue and thyroid cancer, was taking part just months after hip replacement surgery.
The former Heartlands Hospital nurse had a lump cut from her tongue in 2003 but it wasn’t until she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer nearly two years later that she was told her voice may not return.
Surgery to remove the cancer and insert a balloon device into her vocal cord was successful and, at 75, she became one of the oldest people to join the walk.
“It was thoroughly enjoyable,” said Dinny, who was joined by her daughter Allison. “The atmosphere was great and it was lovely to see so many people gathered together – like a giant beacon of hope.”
Paula Young, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the West Midlands, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who came along to support, take part and volunteer at Shine Birmingham.
“The event was a huge success and our amazing supporters have so far raised an incredible £85,000 for life saving research.”
For more details of Cancer Research UK’s fund-raising in the Midlands, please contact Paula Young on mobile 07786 510438 or email paula.young@cancer.org.uk.
