THOUSANDS of women and girls have signed up to take part in this year’s Race for Life series to help beat cancer.

Places are filling rapidly for this year’s events in Bournemouth and Poole.

The Bournemouth seafront events – a 10km and two 5km races – will take place on Sunday June 17 and so far 1,307 of the 6,000 places have been reserved.

And 852 people have signed up to the two 5km races around Poole Park on Sunday June 24.

Now organisers are urging local women to put their names down and help them reach their mammoth £498,066 fundraising target.

One participant who will take part in her first ever Race for Life event is Bournemouth Echo reporter Julie Magee.

Julie was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August last year and underwent major surgery to remove the diseased section of her bowel.

Thankfully doctors managed to remove the cancer and Julie was told she did not require any chemotherapy.

She will walk the Bournemouth Race for Life event with her dog Honey and colleague Joanna Codd.

Julie said: “Having been diagnosed with cancer I realise how important it is to raise awareness and funds for such a worthy cause.”

Race for Life is a women-only series of events which raises millions of pounds every year for life-saving research into 200 types of cancer – helping men, women and children across the South West survive.

To enter Race for Life visit raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111.

You can also visit our Race for Life page for links to all local races and to tell us why you are taking part.

• Are you taking part? Do you have a story to share? Email paula.roberts@bournemouth echo.co.uk.