This year’s Race for Life event in Peterborough has now been cancelled prompting big concerns about a dip in income for Cancer Research UK.
We’re now being encouraged to take part in a , #RaceForLifeAtHome fundraising challenge instead.
The organisers had initially rescheduled the popular city event to Sunday October 25 with the charity 5K & 10K to be held at the East of England Arena & Events Centre, but have now taken the decision to pull the event altogether, along with all the 400 planned events across the UK, due to the restrictions on mass gatherings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patrick Keely, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in the East of England, said: “We know Race for Life is such a treasured part of the UK’s events calendar and it is with a heavy heart that for the first time in 27 years we have to announce that it won’t be taking place. The safety of our supporters, volunteers, suppliers and staff is however essential.”
If you’ve already signed up to Race for Life event in Peterborough you should be contacted directly by the charity and can request a refund or donate your entry fee.
Like many charities hard hit by the effects of the pandemic, Cancer Research UK expects to see its fundraising income decline by up to 25 per cent in the next financial year as a direct result of the COVID-19 and supporters are being asked to take part in a new fundraising challenge to help.
Patrick Keely, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in the East of England, said: “We remain tirelessly committed to making progress for people affected by cancer but now more than ever, support from the public will be vital. We simply will not be able to continue funding our life-saving work without it.
“Since it began in 1994, Race for Life has raised over £890m for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue.
“We hope the Race for Life event series will be back bigger and stronger than ever in 2021. In the meantime, we’d love to invite as many people as possible to join us by taking part in Race for Life at Home in these challenging times.”
Undeterred, women and men across Cambridgeshire are already vowing to carry on and complete a Race for Life at Home challenge, in their garden or their nearest green space. You can visit www.raceforlife.org and sign up free for ideas on how you can create your own special challenge. Organisers are also inviting participants to join the Race for Life at Home community by sharing photos and videos on social media using the hashtag, #RaceForLifeAtHome
Patrick Keely continued: “Cancer hasn’t stopped and people affected by cancer need our support more than ever.
“From a run or 5K walk around the garden or local park to limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home. With no entry fee, people might choose to twerk, star jump, squat, skip, dance, trampoline, or come up with their own novel way of taking part and share it with friends. We’re urging everyone – men women and children – to join our community and help raise vital funds.”
Money raised through Race for Life helps to make long-term research and pioneering trials possible, leading to new tests and kinder treatments that help save the lives of more men, women and children across the East of England.
For more information, visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
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