Virtual Race for Life will benefit charity
People urged to help raise funds
CHARITY supporters are urging people to unite against cancer and raise funds through virtual Race for Life as in-person events are postponed.
Determined fundraisers will carry on the fight against the disease through Race for Life at Home ahead of the proposed date for the event in October.
Organisers Cancer Research UK have postponed events for the spring and early summer to protect people’s health, with Portsmouth’s Race For Life and Pretty Muddy to take place on October 30 and 31.
Undeterred supporters are vowing to raise funds by completing their own Race for Life 5K in their nearest green space in April.
Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Hampshire, said: ‘Even whilst we’re still apart, we can unite against cancer.
‘There are a million reasons to Race for Life at Home, to help save lives, for those who have had vital treatment delayed or just for a reason to get off the sofa. We want people to run, walk or jog 5K and raise money for life-saving research.
‘The truth is Covid-19 has slowed us down. But we will never stop and we are absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow. But we can’t do it alone.’
Cancer Research UK is predicting a staggering £300m drop in income over the next three years which could put future medical breakthroughs at risk.
Professional rugby player Joe Batley was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma aged just 21, and is urging people to get behind the charity.
Gosport-born Joe, now 24, said: ‘Normally when you hear cancer, everyone thinks the worst. It was the toughest thing I have ever had to go through but the support I had from my family and the staff I had at Bristol Royal Infirmary was incredible.’
Worcester Warriors star Joe was put onto a ward with lots of older people when he went for his first chemotherapy session, but a nurse noticed he felt out of place and moved him to a special teenager and young people’s ward.
Joe said: ‘It made me not feel so alone. The funding that they get is not only to fight the disease off, but it gives you these facilities that, for people that have unfortunately got it, their time fighting it is the best it can be.’
Visit cancerresearchuk. org/get-involved/find-anevent to take part.