Run the Race for Life, girls

OLDHAM women are being urged to “join the girls” to help beat cancer by entering Oldham’s Race for Life.

The Alexandra Park event has moved from weekend to midweek this year, and takes place on Wednesday, July 6.

Organisers want local women to recruit their mums, sisters, daughters, aunties, friends and workmates now the Oldham event has opened for entries. Last year, 1,900 women took part and raised £137,000. This year organisers are encouraging 2,500 women to put their best feet forward and raise £150,000.

Race for Life is the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event series where all the money raised goes to fund Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving work. Women of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities unite to walk, jog or run 5k to raise money to help beat cancer.

Every hour, around four people are diagnosed with cancer in the North-West.

When Race for Life started in 1994, many people diagnosed with cancer did not survive.

Since then, money generated by Race for Life has supported Cancer Research UK’s work and now more people are beating the disease than ever before.

Organiser Laura Taylor said: “The atmosphere is amazing, with local women from all walks of life coming together to make a positive difference to people affected by cancer.

“They motivate and inspire each other to complete the course with many simply walking round, chatting and having fun.

“In 2011, we hope more women than ever before will take part.

“We need our Race for Life regulars, as well as women who took part years ago, to join together with many new faces to help save more lives.”

Women in Oldham can enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org  or by calling 0871-641 1111.