Press release published 16 January 2024

The countdown is on for The Christie Charity’s Night of Neon event, making its return to Salford Quays on Saturday 3 February 2024. As a prelude to World Cancer Day, this family-friendly 5K walk is set to light up the night in a dazzling display of fluorescent colours.

The vibrant fundraiser is always a popular event in the calendar - over 600 enthusiastic participants have already signed up for the Night of Neon, which will transform MediaCityUK at Salford Quays into a luminous spectacle.

Hosted by XS Manchester radio presenter Jim Salveson, the festivities kick off at 6.30pm at the Lowry Plaza outside the Lowry Outlet and Lowry Theatre, with the walk commencing at 7.30pm, taking participants on a neon-themed journey around the Quays.

As part of the event, there will be pre-walk entertainment featuring a six-piece roaming band, plus face painting, and glitter artists. Participants are encouraged to flaunt their brightest attire, accessories, and neon costumes - from legwarmers to tutus!

The Night of Neon is all about having fun whilst raising money for The Christie Charity to support the thousands of patients who are treated for cancer at The Christie hospital.

Taking part this year is 48-year-old Lynsey Fraser Jones from Prestwich and her husband Antony Jones and their two sons Nico (11) and Leo (14) Fraser Jones. Lynsey’s older brother Iain Fraser died in 2009 aged 35, following an aggressive brain tumour.

“On 4 February 2024, Iain would have been 50 years old, which is also World Cancer Day, so it seems fitting to take part in a fundraising event for The Christie Charity on that same weekend,” explained Lynsey.

“The Night of Neon seems the right place to celebrate what he meant and continues to mean to me.  I can’t tell you how much I miss him - a sibling sits in a completely different space in your life to anyone else, they’ve known you forever, from a totally different perspective to your parents, they are the only person who knows exactly where you’ve come from.”

For anyone who’d also like to take part in the event on Saturday 3 February 2024, you can sign up online for the Night of Neon. The aim is for each participant to fundraise a minimum of £50. For group registrations exceeding 10 participants, contact the sporting events team at 0161 446 3400.

Each participant will receive a free neon t-shirt, glow wristband, and a Night of Neon finishers medal, once the 5K walk has been completed. The Christie sporting events team will also be on hand to offer participants any support they might need on their fundraising journey. 

“The Night of Neon is a fantastic and colourful walk around The Lowry Plaza and MediaCityUK,” says Josh Hughff, sporting events officer at The Christie Charity. “It’s a lovely opportunity to round up friends, family, and work colleagues to have some fun and raise much-needed funds for The Christie. As always, we want to say a big thank you to everybody taking part in this year’s walk and supporting the cause. We hope everyone has a fabulous evening.”

To support the work of The Christie Charity, please go to Donate today or ring 0161 446 3988.

The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education, and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.