A POWERFUL message in defiance of cancer has been spray-painted at a shopping centre.
Aerosol artist Tom Sledmore created a 8ft by 12ft graffiti-style image for Cancer Research UK.
The charity has launched Hull Race For Life and this year's national campaign has a more aggressive feel.
Television adverts show race participates saying "Cancer, you make me sick" in this year's edgy initiative.
Yorkshire's Race For Life events manager Alison Mackfall said: "This year, we have a hard-hitting campaign, sending a defiant message out to cancer.
"Tom's picture fits perfectly with that – running shoes kicking the word 'cancer'.
"He is creating some other boards for us across Yorkshire that all fit in with our fighting cancer message.
"One has boxing gloves on and says 'The gloves are off'."
Early yesterday morning, Tom and the Race For Life team headed to Princes Quay Shopping Centre in Hull with a blank canvas.
Throughout the day, shoppers walking past saw the image coming to life.
Tom, 19, of York, said: "I had a lot of people coming up to me throughout the day asking me about it and giving me compliments.
"It is something different – you don't usually see someone spray-painting in a shopping centre.
"It is better than giving out flyers to people – this had got people noticing and interacting.
"They've stopped, had a chat, asked us about the picture we've explained what we are hoping to do."
Now it is complete, the canvas will be taken around the region to help spread the word of Race For Life events in Yorkshire.
It will be at Hull's event on Sunday, July 7, so fundraisers can have their picture taken in front of it.
Alison said: "We've had more than 1,000 people sign up to the Hull event so far, which is great.
"Our aim is to get at least 3,000 but, obviously, it is a case of the more the merrier."
The 5k Hull event will see people run, jog and walk a circular route around the city centre.
It has returned to the city centre after several years out at Costello Stadium.
This year's event will be one of the first to use the new swing footbridge, which, when open, will link the Old Town to the east bank.
Alison said: "It will be great to be back into the city centre after being out in west Hull for a while.
"City centre events usually prove to be more popular.
"We're really looking forward to it this year."
To enter Hull Race For Life, visit www.racefor life.org or call 0845 6006050.
