WE RAISED
£3,321
27th Jun 2025
'The Lilacs' super fan inspired to take on fundraising challenges
A committed fan of a local indie band has raised over £3,000 for the Lilac Centre at St Helens Hospital.
Shane Fillingham has followed the growing success of Wigan band ‘The Lilacs’ for several years, travelling all around the UK to support them. The band was named after the Lilac Centre due to lead guitarist Sam Birchall’s mum receiving treatment for cancer there. She sadly lost her battle with secondary breast cancer in 2018, but the band continue to support the centre’s work through charitable events and fundraising.
Shane took it upon himself to fundraise for the Lilac Centre in support, and has so far completed two mammoth challenges. The first was to walk 214 miles over 49 days; this was the equivalent of walking the length of the M62 twice. The second was to pedal a total of 955 miles in 62 days; the equivalent distance from Shane’s home to each of the nine venues of the band’s ‘395 (To Forever)’ tour, which was postponed due to Sam Birchall himself being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Through these two massive fundraising challenges, Shane has managed to raise a total of £3,321.50 for the Lilac Centre, an incredible amount which will make such a difference to the patients receiving treatment. Shane visited the centre yesterday to meet with staff and hand over the donations.
Well done, Shane, and thank you so much for supporting our charity!