Birmingham’s annual Zombie Walk has been postponed for 2017, for the first time since it began, to make way for the Big Sleuth art trail.

A firm favourite in the city’s summer events calendar, the fundraising gore-fest has been put on hold to allow for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital to focus on its spectacular sequel to 2015’s Big Hoot project.

Fundraising zombies at the Birmingham Zombie Walk in 2012 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Fundraising zombies at the Birmingham Zombie Walk in 2012 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The news comes following an announcement made on the Zombie Walk’s official Facebook page earlier this evening:

“Thanks for all your interest in this year’s Zombie Walk. We wanted to let you know the decision has been made to postpone the walk for this year.

“This is to allow Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity to focus efforts on its exciting 10-week Big Sleuth public art trail taking place this summer.”

Zombies at a fundraising after-party at Subside following the 2011 Zombie Walk in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Zombies at a fundraising after-party at Subside following the 2011 Zombie Walk in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Joshua Williams (centre), aka Mr Birmingham, catches up with some gruesome ghouls at the 2015 Zombie Walk in Birmingham (Photograph: Keiran Fuller/Zombie Walk)
Joshua Williams (centre), aka Mr Birmingham, catches up with some gruesome ghouls at the 2015 Zombie Walk in Birmingham (Photograph: Keiran Fuller/Zombie Walk Birmingham)

Launched in 2009, the Zombie Walk in Birmingham was the brainchild of Jamie Chapman, who wanted to create an eerie flashmob after being inspired by similar events in Manchester.

Taking place in and around the city centre streets, the event has grown over the last 8 years, with over 15,000 people taking part since it was first held in City Centre Gardens behind the Library of Birmingham.

Paul Wheeler (left) and Aquila Edwards (right) are transformed into zombies at the Bullring, ahead of the 2014 Zombie Walk in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Paul Wheeler (left) and Aquila Edwards (right) are transformed into zombies at the Bullring, ahead of the 2014 Zombie Walk in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Along with the library, the charity event has been supported by Birmingham City Council, Hollywood Monster, Free Radio, Millennium Point, Monster Energy and Kerrang Radio.

The walk has also been backed by celebrities including singer Beverley Knight, TV personality Kate Lawler, rock band Strangle Kojak, radio presenter Johnny Doom and actor Simon Pegg.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tizV16JAAo4]

Having raised over £45,000 from generous public donations, the Zombie Walk is expected to return, although no date has yet been announced.

“We hope to bring the event back in the future, but in the meantime would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all of you who have, since 2009, helped us raise an awesome £45,215.27 for the children’s hospital,” the statement read.

Volunteer Louise Grove covered in fake blood to help promote the 2012 Zombie Walk Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Volunteer Louise Grove covered in fake blood to help promote the 2012 Zombie Walk Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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The Big Sleuth takes place across Birmingham’s public spaces for 10 weeks in the summer.

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