THE Poole Festival of Running is nearly here! Big-hearted Paige has signed up already – and there is still time for you to join in the fun.

The festival, which goes ahead this Sunday in Poole Park, includes a 10k event, the 5k, a series of minithons for children, as well as stalls, refreshments and children’s activities This year the Dorset Cancer Centre is the beneficiary charity and is hoping to achieve thousands in sponsorship from the participants.

More than 2,000 people are expected to take part – and one of them is 11-year-old fundraiser Paige Derbyshire, who will be running two laps of the minithon.

Paige said: “My nan has cancer so when I saw the race was raising money for cancer I wanted to take part. I’ve done lots of training, and I’ve decided to run dressed as a monkey so I can raise even more money.”

Little Paige is no stranger to fundraising and runs a face painting stall with her sister Summer raising money for various charities.

Her proud mum Julie said: “Paige picked up the flyer one day and when she saw it was raising money for cancer she decided to take part. She’s already raised £50 by asking family members and school friends to sponsor her.”

Event chairman, Mike Towner of Poole Runners, said: “Last year’s event raised more than £5,000 for the maternity unit at Poole Hospital, and this year we’d love to have as many as 2,500 runners of all ages, in all races, so we can raise even more for the Dorset Cancer Centre.”

The event kicks off at 10am with the Minithons, jointly organised by Borough of Poole and Poole Runners, comprising five races for eight to 14-year-olds, as well as a race for under-8s. The Echo-backed Dorset Cancer Centre 5k starts at 11.30am and is open to runners of all abilities over 14, then at 2pm there is the Poole 10k. Limited spaces are left in all races. Register at the marquee in Poole Park on Saturday 1 June between noon and 3pm, or on the day, if spaces are available.