PICTURES: Thumbs up for inspirational Stephen Sutton

Thousands of people from around the world joined in unity to mark the first anniversary of the death of inspiration teenager Stephen Sutton.

But the celebration of the 19-year-old's life was firmly centred back home in Staffordshire with those who had been with him on his journey from the start.

At Lichfield Cathedral, where Stephen's two-day vigil took place, around 60 people attended a memorial service yesterday morning.

The congregation joined in giving a mass thumbs-up – recreating the iconic image that Stephan gave from his death bed which sparked a social media trend and sent his story around the world.

The short ceremony was led by the Dean of Lichfield the Very Reverend Adrian Dorber. It included a few moments of silence before he asked the crowd to say Stephen's name before making the thumbs-up sign. They also released dozens of red balloons promoting the work of the Teenage Cancer Trust into the air at the poignant event held on the lawn in front of the Gothic cathedral where last year 11,000 people attended a two-day vigil.

Celebrities have joined hundreds of people in hugging friends and loved ones in memory of Stephen Sutton.

Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, Loose Women presenter Andrea McLean, and comedian Paul O'Grady were some of those to take part.

Hundreds posted pictures of themselves hugging loved ones on social media and donated £2 to charity Fixers, which promotes messages from young people.

Stephen worked with the charity to run a day of young people making good gestures. He was honoured with a posthumous award at the National Lottery Awards 2014 for his Fixers National Good Gestures Day campaign.

He requested it happen annually. Stephen's mum, Jane, said: "A hug can't heal everything, but it makes us all feel better."

Use the hashtag #HugForStephen, and text 'Hug' to 70660 to donate £2.

Mr Dorber said: "I am delighted that people came here. The focus this time round is on Burntwood which is Stephen's home town. The cathedral was privileged to host the funeral last year and we felt we wanted to do our part. People can also come inside to light a candle in his memory."

Among those who gathered was MP Michael Fabricant and pupils from the cathedral's school.

Mr Fabricant, who is recovering from skin cancer, said: "I don't know if there is life after death, but in a way there certainly is in Stephen Sutton. His vision continues with the £5 million having been raised over the last 12 months and still the donations come in. Stephen continues to help those youngsters suffering from cancer and in helping to find a cure from this dreadful disease."

Once again Burntwood, Stephen's home town, was decorated in yellow ribbons by the residents. Last year Burntwood and Lichfield were awash with yellow – the colour of the Teenage Cancer Trust in tribute to Stephen.

Joining the memorial service yesterday was Rosie Knight, 51, of Little Haywood.

She said: "He has certainly left a legacy which is going to help a lot of people in a very positive way. I came because I followed his story on social media and I thought would like to come today to support this event. I thought he was very brave. I didn't know him, but he was obviously a very special person."

Rachel Wedgbury, 39, a child minder of Kestrel Grove, Willenhall, attended the event with her family.

She said: "I am here to show the children how inspirational Stephen has been and that we are remembering him. He was so well respected and we thought we would come to the cathedral in a show of thanks to him. It was perfect and a very nice tribute to him."

Her father Barry Wedgbury, 72, of Brackenhill Road, Burntwood, said: "We liked what he did and the inspiration that he gave to other people."

Cancer survivor Anne Critchley, 72, of Lichfield, said: "Ten years ago I had an operation for lung cancer and I am clear of it now. I was a nurse and looked after dying young people who were receiving dialysis as part of my job. I am really thankful for what Stephen did because I also saw young cancer patients on the unit where I was treated."

While museum worker Steve Johnson, 55, of The Close, Lichfield, said: "What an amazing legacy for such a young person to create. He must have been very special for someone to do what he did."

Stephen's mother Jane Sutton said: "When he began his blog he always used to say this isn't a sob story, this is Stephen's story, so the last thing he would want us to be is sad. That's why today, on the anniversary of his passing this is a time to remember and celebrate his life.

"Last year, yellow ribbons adorned Burntwood and beyond as a mark of grief, love and unity. This year yellow ribbons are again being used to remember Stephen and for people to show how proud they are of his achievements. It is a great comfort to know that Stephen is always in the thoughts of so many people.

"The tribute 'thumbs up' moment today is so appropriate as Stephen made his trademark thumbs up sign a symbol of his positive attitude. That's the image people remember, that gorgeous smile and the thumbs up. Of course I miss Stephen, there's an enormous void which he used to occupy. However, I'm so proud of everything he has achieved. He was inspirational, authentic and courageous and his message was so incredibly powerful and relevant to us all.

"He inspired millions of people across the world to not only support his Facebook blog 'Stephen's Story' and help him raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust – but encouraged people to take a fresh look at their own lives. His enthusiasm and positive outlook on life gave people the push to start living."

She also pledged to continue working with the trust which she said only has resources to help half the number of young people diagnosed with cancer.

"To say I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity, love, kindness and warmth towards me, my son Christopher and my family, from people across the globe, is a huge understatement. My family and network of friends have been incredibly supportive and without whom the last five years would have been even more stressful and demanding."

Stephen captured the world's imagination with his positive attitude in the face of death with his bucket list of 46 things he wanted to achieve before he died. His four-year battle with bowel cancer ended on May 14, last year. He had set out to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust and managed to hit the £3m mark before he died. That total soon grew to £5m with £1,000 a minute being pledged as news of his death was announced.

Some of the cash raised is being spent on the Teenage Cancer Trust's units at NHS hospitals in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Oxford, Nottingham and Sheffield. Refurbishments of units at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham and the Weston Park hospital in Sheffield have been completed.

And there will be a new centre in the Southern General in Glasgow and Alder Hey in the Park in Liverpool will open soon. Mrs Sutton said: "Stephen's legacy is, 'We can do it. We can raise that money. We all can inspire others to give and we can all make a difference'.

"After receiving the news in January 2013 that his cancer was incurable, Stephen created his now infamous 'bucket list' of 46 things he wanted to achieve before he died. Top of his list was to raise £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust – a charity Stephen was passionate about as it had supported him throughout his treatment and care. Well Stephen, you spectacularly under-estimated how much you would go on to raise.

"Regrettably every day, seven young people aged between 13 and 24 are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival of these young people, relying solely on donations to fund its vital work.

"Stephen touched the hearts of millions of people. His influence continues to impact on the daily lives of so many and I have been touched by the thousands of fundraising events across the country in support of Teenage Cancer Trust.

"Stephen showed us how incredibly powerful even very small positive acts can be when lots of people get involved. Every pound raised through these fundraising events will help Teenage Cancer Trust achieve its vision of supporting every young person diagnosed with cancer by 2020." Supporters can post 'Thumbs Up' selfies using #thumbsupforStephen on social media.

Memorial celebrations were also held in Burntwood to mark his achievements.

Community group Turn Burntwood Yellow and the Teenage Cancer Trust held a 'thumbs up' tribute, while yellow balloons were released at Chasetown Football Club last night.

On Saturday hundreds of young people have pledged to take to the streets across the UK to hand out high fives, fist-bumps and handshakes as part of National Good Gestures Day.

Stephen, a student, organised and took part in the event in Birmingham last year, just four days before he died.

He achieved most of the things on his wish list, including meeting comedian Jimmy Carr, who along with comedian Jason Mumford visited him at the trust's ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.