Stand Up To Cancer 2025 launches moving Tribute Mile to honour lives lost to cancer

The display will be installed in Leicester's Abbey Park and illuminated on Friday 12th December, with the switch-on broadcast live on Channel 4.

The installation will remain open for public viewing on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December, inviting visitors from around the country to witness the collective tribute.

A national call to honour loved ones:

People across the UK are invited to take part by dedicating a lantern to someone who has been lost to cancer. Each lantern will bear a personalised tribute and photograph, creating a shared expression of love, loss and hope, stretching one mile through the park. Four unique lantern designs are available for personalisation online. To create a lantern and submit a tribute, supporters can visit the Stand Up To Cancer Tribute Mile website, select a design and upload their dedication.

Tribute workshop - an in-person space for reflection:

Stand Up To Cancer will also open a special 'Tribute Workshop' at Highcross, Leicester, on Tuesday 9th December, where attendees can make their own lanterns in person throughout the week. The workshop will be open between 10am-6pm. There's no need to pre-book so please come and visit. Stand Up To Cancer ambassadors Adam Hills and Mel Schilling will be in attendance and will also be creating their own lanterns in memory of a loved one.

Mel Schilling said:

"It is an honour to be part of Stand Up To Cancer's Tribute Mile. Every lantern represents a life, a story and a love that continues long after loss. 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 UK is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, bringing the nation together to accelerate life-saving research. Since its UK launch in 2012, the campaign has raised over £113 million, funding 73 clinical trials and projects involving over 13,000 cancer patients nationwide. These include research into robotic and laser-assisted cancer surgery, AI to help detect and treat cancers, and even lollipops that could help detect mouth cancer. The week-long Stand Up To Cancer campaign launches on Friday 5th December, leading up to the live event on Friday 12th December on Channel 4.

Stand Up To Cancer, Friday 12th December on Channel 4 Support information: To find out more about Stand Up To Cancer and how you can support, visit channel4.com/SU2C or follow us on Facebook, X , Instagram or TikTok.