Widow says twilight walk for her husband was 'fab'

Diane Devereux said the whole night was just "amazing"

The widow of a man who died 14 months after being diagnosed with three aggressive brain tumours says a twilight walk held in his honour left her highly emotional but was a wonderful way to celebrate his life.

Diane Devereux, from Rushden in Northamptonshire, lost her husband, Dean, 53, 19 months ago.

She said about 100 people, including others who had lost loved ones, turned up for the 3 mile (5km) community walk held at the town's Hall Park on Saturday evening for the Brain Tumour Charity.

"You realise tragedy affects a lot of people, it just made me feel that everything was worthwhile," she said.

Dean Devereux was extremely active and was a keen cyclist, runner and was a vegetarian, Diane said

The event came 16 months after she was given the all clear after being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2020.

Mrs Devereux, said she "didn't stop grinning" throughout the walk, adding: "it was amazing.

"When everyone arrived I just burst into tears it was fab.

"There were lots of people I didn't know but who just turned up and said 'hello'."

People made charitable donations as the group walked to Rushden's Hall Park

Mr Devereux was diagnosed with three "big aggressive" tumours that could not be removed in 2021, she said.

He was given up to 14 months to live and died in 2022, just three months before she was given "the all clear" from her own cancer.

People of all ages attended the walk

She said the event raised more than £3,000 with people handing over money as participants walked to the park.

"I can't express my thanks enough to everybody, it was a serious issue, but it was a really happy night.

"Dean would have been grinning all over and not believing that everyone turned up."

She now plans to make the walk an annual event.

The walk started just after 18:00 GMT on Saturday evening at Hall Park in Rushden