PEOPLE in Poole are being urged to look beyond lockdown by taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life this autumn, following last year’s cancellation.

The charity’s much-loved events are planned to return to the town this autumn but with socially distanced measures to keep participants safe.

Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, saving lives as the charity fights back from the impact of the pandemic.

The Race for Life events, due to take place at Baiter Park on Saturday, September 11, are open to people of all ages and abilities. Events include a 3K, 5K, 10K as well as Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course.

Sam Morris, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Poole, said: “Race for Life offers the perfect opportunity for people across the region to run, walk or jog and raise money for life-saving research.

“All 400-mass participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the Covid-19 pandemic. So this year, more than ever, we need people to enter the Race for Life – for the people we love, for the people we’ve lost and for the one in two of us who will get cancer.”

This year, participants will set off on the Race for Life course either alone or in small, socially distanced groups. Hand sanitiser will also be provided with participants encouraged to use it before and after the event.

Sam added: “We’ll ask participants to respect social distancing before, during and after the event.

“But we promise our events will remain colourful, emotional and uplifting. The safety of our Race for Life participants is our absolute priority.

“Sadly, cancer touches almost every family at some point. Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. That’s why we need as many people as possible across Poole to join us, to stand united and do something extraordinary to help beat cancer.”

Every year around 35,100 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South West.

Visit raceforlife.org to enter. If any Race for Life events are cancelled, people will be entitled to a refund or can choose to donate the fee. Anyone who signs up before July 4 can claim 30 per cent off the entry fee by using the code RFLJUNE30.