The spotlight is on Merseyside residents this year, who are being urged to join an illuminating night-time walking event in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Entries for Cancer Research UK’s 10K Shine Night Walk are now officially open, meaning Liverpool’s streets will once again light up on Friday, 10th September.
This is a particularly exciting event for the city, as Liverpool is one of only 18 UK locations chosen to take part in the Shine Night Walk series, in partnership with online fundraising platform, Omaze.
Starting at 7:20PM in front of Pier Head, participants will take to the streets in a vibrant, fun and inspirational parade of light, passing key landmarks such as the Liver Building and St George’s Hall.
Last year, all of the arranged Shine Night Walks were postponed due to the impact of coronavirus. However, this year, the charity is fighting back out of the shadow of the pandemic to raise vital funds for research.
Shine Night Walk participants can choose where their funds are allocated. One option is to raise funds for Cancer Research UK’s main campaign. Alternatively, walkers can also choose to fund specific life-saving research close to their hearts, such as research into prostate cancer, testicular cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia – among many.
Cancer is a battle all too many people in Merseyside are familiar with. Just over 42,000 of us here in the North West have some form of the disease. This lines up to the national picture, where one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetimes.
Siobhan Byrne, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Merseyside, told Mersey Community News why this year’s event is more important than ever.
Ms Byrne said: “We’re delighted to bring Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk back to Liverpool.
“This year, more than ever, we need people to support. We hope people across the city will unite behind this special event and make it a night to remember.
“This is no ordinary night out. It’s a night to walk together, for the millions of people affected by cancer. It’s a night to celebrate, feel proud and light up the city streets. It’s a night to raise money for life-saving research and bring hope to people affected by the disease…but, all of us can support the research that will beat it.”
This year, participants will set off on the Shine Night Walk route either alone or in small, socially distanced groups. Hand sanitiser will be provided and people will be encouraged to use it before and after the event.
Siobhan added: “We’ll ask participants to respect social distancing before, during and after the event.
“It may be that Shine Night Walk looks a little different this year, but we are working proactively with our venues and suppliers to deliver a great experience on site. Participants can choose to complete the course at their own speed, from a leisurely stroll to a lively stride to a full-on power walk passing the city’s well-loved landmarks.
“The battle against cancer never stops. Every year, around 42,300 people are diagnosed with the disease in the North West. Shine Night Walk is a special opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer or celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived.”
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK’s work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.
The charity was able to spend over £33 million in the North West last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research. Money raised through Shine Night Walk Liverpool is crucial to the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are fighting cancer on all fronts.
People can also show their support by volunteering on the night or visiting the event’s online shop to buy kit including a hoodie and glow sticks, as well as glow face paint sticks and flashing tiaras.
If any Shine Night Walk events are cancelled, people will be entitled to a refund of their entry free or can choose to donate the fee to help fund Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.
If you would like to take part in the Shine Night Walk, you can sign up here.
Image used with permission from: Cancer Research UK.