Burntwood turns yellow in tribute to inspirational Stephen Sutton
The home town of cancer victim and fundraiser Stephen Sutton has become a sea of yellow to mark the first anniversary of his death.
Homes, cars, lamp posts, trolleys, shop windows and railings across Burntwood have been decorated with symbolic yellow ribbons to remember the 19-year-old who helped to raise £5 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Yellow primulas, planted on Burntwood's Swan Island in memory of Stephen are also in bloom.
Stephen lost his battle to bowel cancer on May 14 last year and the Burntwood community decided to turn his town yellow to mark the anniversary – the way it was decorated following his death.
Turn Burntwood Yellow For Stephen was organised by Sharon Whitchurch, aged 44, and a team of community fundraisers have spent six weeks selling ribbons and encouraging residents to show their support. The skills coach at Bromford Housing said: "I want the community to have a way to show his family that a year on we haven't forgotten about him and everything he achieved. It is a fitting tribute.
"The town looks so beautiful, I am overwhelmed. It really did bring a lump to my throat seeing the little touches everywhere. It shows how much pride and love we have as a town for Stephen."
After the decorations went up on Friday, The Teenage Cancer Trust contacted Sharon. A spokesperson said: "We just wanted to say that it's wonderful to see the community of Burntwood coming together again to pay tribute to Stephen."
