Thousands give 'thumbs up' for fundraiser Stephen Sutton

Thousands of people have posed with their 'thumbs up' in memory of Stephen Sutton, who raised over £4 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust. A vigil for the teenager is being held at Lichfield Cathedral.

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Manford joins crowd in 'thumbs up' tribute to Stephen

Comedian Jason Manford has joined a crowd of thousands in paying tribute to fundraiser Stephen Sutton at a special memorial service which marked the end of a two day vigil.

Jason Manford, who befriended Stephen during his fundraising effort, joined mourners in giving a thumbs up salute after the service. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
The crowd of mourners saluted the teenager's funeral cortege as it departed Lichfield Cathedral. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
Stephen Sutton's mother Jane and brother Chris released 19 balloons in his honour at the end of the vigil. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

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Dean says Stephen would urge mourners to 'live it up'

The Dean of Lichfield has said he was "glad and proud to be part of the same human race" as fundraiser Stephen Sutton as he paid a special tribute to the teenager at his private memorial service.

"It would be usual now, if this was a church service, to say 'rest in peace' but I can't imagine Stephen doing that," the Dean said as he concluded the service.

"He'd say 'Live it up', so - one more time - let's give him a thumbs up."

Stephen Sutton's mother Jane (centre) sat next to his brother Chris at the service at Lichfield Cathedral. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
The Dean said the 19-year-old had "energised people" and urged them to "live not as a victim but as a free young person". Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
The Dean's address was met with a round of applause after the gathered mourners raised a thumb in Stephen's memory. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Stephen's charity single urges people to 'help others'

A charity single in Stephen Sutton's honour has been recorded, with a message from the teenager urging supporters to dig deep to help others in need.

A short clip from the recording - which not yet been mastered - can be heard below.

The teenager, who passed away on May 14th, can be heard saying: "We are offering you the chance to help others by buying this charity single, so please consider it."

Over 11,000 tweets posted in one hour for Sutton

Twitter said more than 11,000 tweets, containing the hashtag #ThumbsUpForStephen, have been posted within an hour this morning.

People took to twitter to share their support and give their 'thumbs up' in honour of the cancer campaigner Stephen Sutton, from Staffordshire.

Within a day more than 18,000 tweets have been posted in memory of the teenager who raised over £4 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Credit: PA

Within a day more than 18,000 tweets have been posted while a vigil for the teenager, who raised over £4 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust, is being held at Lichfield Cathedral.

Those who have tweeted so far included comedian Sarah Millican, Dragons' Den star Kelly Hoppen and actress Shobna Gulati.

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Celebrities join in with Stephen Sutton 'thumbs up' photos

Celebrities including comedian Sarah Millican, Shobna Gulati and Neil Morrissey have been photographed giving the 'thumbs up' gesture in memory of Staffordshire teenager Stephen Sutton.

Thousands of people have been posting images of themselves using the hashtag #ThumbsUpForStephen after his family asked people to celebrate his life on the day of his funeral.

'Thumbs up' from 3-year-old girl with own cancer battle

Stephen Sutton's 'thumbs up' campaign has been supported by a 3-year-old girl who is fighting her own battle with cancer.

Sienna from Essex is battling neuroblastoma and cardiomyopathy, and tweeted a #ThumbsUpForStephen messsage of support with the message "from one warrior to another".

The 3-year-old has her own campaign on Twitter to help beat aggressive cancer, with the hashtag #cure4sienna.

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