The Shine Night Walk will take place next month

Scots are being urged to join an illuminating night-time walking event for Cancer Research UK.

The charity’s Shine Night Walk, which is returning to the city, will take place on Saturday 18 September. Entries are open now for the 10k event where participants can raise funds for the area of life-saving research closest to their hearts. Walkers can choose to support different areas of scientific research including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia. Or they can simply give their backing to Cancer Research UK’s overall work as the charity fights back from the impact of the pandemic.

The Shine Night Walk starts at the SEC Centre from 8.05pm where participants will take to the city streets in a fun and inspirational parade of light. The 10K route crosses over Bell’s Bridge, passing BBC Scotland and STV headquarters. Participants will then walk back over the River Clyde and along the Broomielaw then pass Cancer Research UK flagship shop on Queen Street. They’ll pass the landmark Duke of Wellington statue outside the Gallery of Modern Art then along Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street. The route then heads up Woodlands Road and along Kelvin Way, Argyll Street and Finnieston before passing The SSE Hydro and on to the finish line.

In 2021 Glasgow is one of 18 locations across the UK selected to host the Shine Night Walk series, in partnership with online fundraising platform Omaze.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to bring Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk back to Glasgow.

“All Shine Night Walk events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the Covid-19 pandemic. So 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. One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime.* 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.

Adams said: “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 32,400 people are diagnosed with the disease in Scotland.** 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 £42 million in Scotland last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research. And money raised through Shine Night Walk Glasgow 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