Leicester will become the heart of a national moment of remembrance this December as Stand Up To Cancer brings its Tribute Mile to Abbey Park.
The mile-long installation, made up of more than 5,000 illuminated lanterns, will honour people across the UK who have lost their lives to cancer. The display will be switched on in the park on Friday 12 December, with the moment broadcast live on Channel 4, before remaining open for public visits throughout Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December.
Picture credit: Stand up to Cancer
Residents of Leicester and people from across the country are being invited to dedicate a lantern to someone they have lost. Each one will feature a personalised message and photograph, forming a glowing mile of memories that weaves through the park. Four lantern designs can be personalised online through the Stand Up To Cancer Tribute Mile website, where supporters can upload their tributes and take part in the installation.
In the days leading up to the event, Leicester will also host a Tribute Workshop at Highcross from Tuesday 9 December. Open from 10am to 6pm with no booking required, the workshop will give visitors the chance to create their lanterns in person. Stand Up To Cancer ambassadors Adam Hills and Mel Schilling will attend during the week to make their own tributes, honouring their loved ones alongside local supporters.
Mel Schilling said it was a privilege to be involved in such a meaningful project for the city. “Every lantern represents a life, a story and a love that continues long after loss,” she said. “Coming together as a community in this way, whilst shining a light on the urgent need for continued cancer research, is incredibly moving to me. I’d like to personally invite those in Leicester and further afield to get involved by creating their lantern and donating to Stand Up To Cancer. Let’s turn our heartfelt tributes into a symbol of hope for all those impacted by cancer.”
Stand Up To Cancer, a joint campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, has raised more than £113 million since 2012, supporting dozens of clinical trials and research projects involving over 13,000 cancer patients. This year’s campaign begins on Friday 5 December, culminating in the live broadcast and official illumination of the Tribute Mile on Friday 12 December — a moment Leicester will share with the nation.
