Cancer charity founder undertakes epic walk on crutches to remember friend and former Prisoner of War for VJ Day

Brian Burnie, founder of Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, walked from Newcastle to Sunderland on Sunday in memory of his friend and former Japanese Prisoner of War Len Gibson, who worked on the infamous Death Railway

A cancer charity founder has undertaken a mammoth memorial walk on crutches in honour of a Second World War hero who died aged 101.

Tuesday August 15 marks the 78th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) and on Sunday Brian Burnie, founder of Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, walked from the Burma Star Memorial at Newcastle Civic Centre to Sunderland's Cenotaph. 79-year-old Brian, who had a nasty fall earlier in the year, started walking from Newcastle at 6.30am following a short service and a 1,000 poppy drop in memory of his friend Len Gibson, who died in 2021.

Len was a Japanese Prisoner of war for three-and-a-half years. He and many others were forced to work on the infamous Death Railway which passes through Thailand and into Burma (now Myanmar).

ChronicleLive caught up with Brian part of the way through the 21.6 mile walk at St Paul's Church in Jarrow, where a service took place led by the Right Reverend Bishop of Jarrow, Sarah Clark. The service included a one-minute silence, a bugler playing the Last Post, a further 1,000 poppy drop; with attendees including the Mayor of South Tyneside John Gerard McCabe and council delegates.

Brian said: "It's very appropriate this VJ day here remembers that wonderful gentleman. It's the third time we've done this from Newcastle to Sunderland at St Paul's Church in Jarrow.

"He (Len) was fighting away in Burma, the forgotten army was forgotten at the time. The way in Europe had come to an end in 1945 and people hadn't realised there was a war still going on in Burma so hopefully today it'll make a difference and people will remember."

Read more: Sunderland prisoner of war veteran Len Gibson who survived Burma Railway dies aged 101

Walkers gather at St Paul's Monastery in Jarrow for a service to honour the memory of all Far East Prisoners of War.

Brian Burnie - Founder & Trustee, Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care.

Christopher Dorman-O'Gowan who is taking part in the VJ Memorial walk.

Bishop of Jarrow Sarah Clark with a welcome and prayer

Standard Bearer, Last Post and Bugler, one minute silence at 11am – 'Poppy Drop'.

A piper plays

The bugler plays

Some even brought their dogs

Walkers gather at St Paul's Monastery in Jarrow for a service to honor the memory of all Far East Prisoners of War.

Spectators watch on as a bugler plays