A charity walk is set to light up the streets of Newcastle city centre this Saturday night.
Shine Night Walk will see thousands of participants wearing colourful outfits and carrying luminous glow sticks for Cancer Research UK.
Lorraine Spence, 53, from Wallsend, and her walk partner Norman Huthart, 63, from Heaton will be amongst the many people who will participate in the Cancer Research UK, Shine Night Walk.
NHS workers, Lorraine and Norman both share experiences of losing loved ones from cancer.
Lorraine, a nursing assistant at Walkergate Park Hospital, lost her sister, 45, in 2019 from cancer.
She said: “If my sister was diagnosed earlier she could have been saved, and knowing this now is a shocker.”
Lorraine wants to do the walk, in support of cancer researches to advance and save further lives.
The loss of her sister, two years ago and also her brother who passed away 10 years ago from cancer has led her to join the event.
“The research into cancer is so important so that other people have a chance of beating it,” she added.
Norman had lost his parents due to cancer.
Due to Coronavirus, Cancer Research UK couldn’t hold their annual The Shine Night Walk in 2020.
“I was very moved by the first walk I did in 2019 but was prevented last year, but is back on this year, I can’t wait” says Lorraine.
The Shine Night Walk brings people together who all want to raise awareness of the importance of Cancer Research UK. The participants that contribute on the walk vary from cancer sufferers to those who have lost loved ones.
The Shine Night Walk event is national and consists of thousands of people all walking for the same purpose, to support Cancer Research UK.
The walk starts from The Baltic Centre of Contemporary Art.
The route goes around Newcastle City Centre, passing by well-known locations like the Swing Bridge, Life Science Centre, Chinatown, St James Park, and many more.
It’s a 10k walk which is just over 6 miles. That's roughly the same as walking around a football pitch nearly 29 times.
Participants will be given, a t-shirt, a walking number, and a back sign with a price cost.
Lorraine who dressed up on her walk-in 2019, said: “The fun part of the walk is what people dress up, Norman wore a pink tutu at the last walk in 2019 and for this year I’m investing in a pair of glowing in the dark leggings.”
At the end of the walk, everyone receives medals for their support and efforts.
“We ring the bells at the end, which is very fun,” Lorraine said.
For more information on how to get involved, visit Cancer Research UK - Shine Night Walk
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