A LANDMARK cathedral has been illuminated to mark the start of a ‘Yorkshire Stars’ Christmas campaign by Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The stunning projection on Ripon Cathedral’s west front was made up of 2,000 individual stars to represent the number of lives the charity aims to save from cancer every year in Yorkshire.

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Juliet Glendinning, Director at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “This Christmas, we’re joining with people across Yorkshire to remember and celebrate loved ones and raise awareness of the impact of cancer in the region.

"Together, we are aiming to light up 2,000 lives and see our Yorkshire Stars shining brightly this Christmas.”

In return for a donation, stars can be dedicated to celebrate people who have recovered from cancer, to recognise those living with cancer, to thank carers or to remember those who have died from the disease.

The stars will be featured on a virtual ‘Yorkshire Stars’ Christmas tree, and each star will also be hung on a real tree at the charity’s Ripon shop.

People can include a personal message and upload a photograph of their chosen Yorkshire Star, which will be added to an online gallery.

Juliet said: “We are so thankful to Ripon Cathedral for allowing us to create such a poignant and moving tribute to all those affected by cancer in our region.

“We hope our Yorkshire Stars campaign will offer a small comfort during what can be a difficult time for many families, while also raising important funds to support life-saving research in Yorkshire.”

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson DL said: “With these 2,000 stars, projected on to the cathedral's renowned west front, we celebrate the efforts of Yorkshire Cancer Research to save 2,000 lives every year in Yorkshire.”

To dedicate a star, visit yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk

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