Second glow run held in memory of Shropshire youngster Jack - video and pictures

Seven-year-old Jack Edwards died last August after battling leukaemia. He was first diagnosed with the disease when he was just three.

Last year, residents of Cleobury Mortimer staged a "glow run" to support Jack's family and raise money for charity.

And on Friday night more than 250 runners took to the streets of the town again – this time in his memory.

The town was lit up by hundreds of runners who had come from as far afield as Birmingham and now organisers hope the run will become an annual event.

Jack's journey had been followed by thousands of people and the close-knit Cleobury community was left broken-hearted when he lost his life.

A team of fundraisers, dubbed Jack's Army, vowed to march on and family friend Rachel Shields, who organised the first glow run, decided to make it an annual event as a tribute to Jack – and to raise funds for Antony Nolan, The Stiliyan Petrov Foundation and Make a Wish, which all helped Jack and his family throughout his illness.

Runners limbered up outside the Lacon Childe School before setting off at 7pm on the 5k run around the town.

Mrs Shields, 31, said: "Jack was a shining star to all that knew him, he always had a beautiful smile on his face.

"It seems a fitting tribute to hold another glow run in Jack's memory – and hopefully for many years to come – to raise money in his name for some of the amazing charities that helped him and continue to help so many. It was a real community event and whoever I asked to help us out did not hesitate.

"We had 20 marshalls from the Cleobury Mortimer Young Farmers and the course was plotted out by the Ludlow Castle Motor Club.

"Without everyone's help, from those running to the marshalls, sponsors and course plotters, we would not have been able to organise the event. It was a lot to ask people to turn out on a cold, dark night in January but everyone was more than happy to."

Last year's run raised £13,000 to support Jack and his family while he received chemotherapy in a bid to halt the cancer.

Mrs Shields is hopeful that this year's event will raise over £5,000 for the three charities. She will also donate £500 towards the cost of a new defibrillator for the town.

"It's hard to say how much we have raised as we know that along with the entrance fees people have been raising a great deal through sponsorship.

"We will have a clearer idea in a few days," added Mrs Shields.

The run was open to anyone aged eight and over and the oldest runner was 72.

Sponsorship raised through local businesses allowed each runner to receive a commemorative medal as well as glow sticks and water along the course.