A Norwich woman who lost her mum to lung cancer will be among more than 550 walkers taking part in a special walk under the stars tomorrow night to help Macmillan continue its vital work to help cancer patients and their families.

Toni Sturgeon, 36 and who lives in the Golden Triangle area, said she has signed up for the 13-mile Starlight Walk Norwich because she wanted to give something back to Macmillan to thank the charity for all the support it gave both her mum and her whole family.

Toni's mum Sue Sturgeon was diagnosed with lung cancer last October after she started feeling fatigued, had a dull ache in her shoulder and started to feel a bit breathless.

Following tests doctors found that Mrs Sturgeon had a tumour in one of her lungs and the family were given the awful news that it was inoperable. Mrs Sturgeon died aged 70 on April 4 this year. She left behind her husband Norman, their three children, Toni, Bridget and Mandy, and five grandchildren.

'My mum was not a smoker so it all came as a bit of a shock to everyone,' said physiotherapist Toni.

'I love my mum dearly and I just felt that the Macmillan nurses had been really amazing to mum and my whole family and so it was important to give something back.'

Toni said that the Macmillan nurses became involved with their family soon after her mum was diagnosed and they would frequently visit her at her home just outside Bury St Edmunds.

'It was nice that they built up that communication early on. At the start they visited about once a fortnight, and then it became weekly and every couple of days,' she said.

'They gave mum medical help and also general support to help her deal with what was going to happen.

'The nurses were really lovely. I was in awe of them. They are special people.'

Toni will be doing the walk with her 15-year-old niece Harriet McAuslan, who lives near Diss, and two friends.

The Starlight Walk Norwich, now in its sixth year, starts at midnight tomorrow at the Sportspark and goes around Norwich's outer ring road.

It is organised by the Sportspark and sponsored by the Evening News and Chapelfield, and is open to people aged 16 and over.

Jane Rumball, walk organiser, said: 'We are looking forward to what should be a fun night, once again. There is always a great atmosphere at the Sportspark as the walk starts and the marshals help spur everyone on if they start to flag. All we need now is for the weather to stay dry and for everyone to raise lots of money.

'I'd also like to thank all the volunteers, Sportspark staff and our main sponsors Chapelfield and the Norwich Evening News for helping to organise and publicise the walk.'

• If you've not yet registered to take part yet you still can. Registration costs �25, all of which goes straight to Macmillan Cancer Support in Norfolk.

To enter on the night walkers are asked to arrive and register at Sportspark by 10.45pm. Parking will be available in the Sportspark car park and main UEA car park. Registration must be paid by cash only on the night.

For information about the walk and route please visit www.starlightwalknorwich.co.uk.

• Are you organising a charity event? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk