SOS for 1,300 more ladies for Cancer Research event in Northampton next month

The charity is encouraging mums, daughters, sisters and friends to register now for the extravaganza at Abington Park on Sunday, June 5.

Organisers had hoped to recruit 2,700 women for the 5k race and 1,100 for the 10k. But so far only 1,596 have registered for the 5k and 831 for the 10k.

So they are sending out a heart-felt SOS to local ladies to join their ‘pink army’ at www.raceforlife.org

Simon Burley, the event manager, said: “We are concerned that places in this year’s Race for Life have been slow to fill, while other events around the UK have been snapped up quickly.

“It could be that many women have simply forgotten to enter this year or, having completed the events previously, feel that they don’t need to take part again. But we want to remind these ‘missing’ women just how important their contribution is.

“Half of the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Research is very expensive and the only way we can afford to fund it, and save lives, is with their help.”

Speaking on stage this year at the event will be local mum Deborah James, 36. Earlier this year Deborah was given the all clear after a battle with bowel cancer.

Deborah, who’s mum to Grace, 6, has taken part in Race for Life a number of times but never thought she would one day benefit from the research she’s helped to fund.

Deborah said: “I’m nervous about speaking on stage but looking forward to it. I’ll be taking part on the day with my team - the super strong Eagles!

“There are 13 of us including me and my daughter, friends and their children. It will be big day for us after everything that’s happened this past year.”

Deborah had been ill for around 18 months before her cancer was discovered.

She had been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease and changed her diet but was still experiencing severe bouts of sickness. A colonoscopy was carried out and the tumour was discovered.

Deborah said: “I’ve had amazing support from family and friends. It has been really tough though. My daughter went through a phase of asking, ‘Mummy are you going to die?’ I would tell her I wasn’t planning on it anytime soon.

“I just have to get on with it and get through the next few years. I have regular check-ups and everything has been fine so far. The first two years are when it’s most likely to come back, if I’m cancer free for five years I’ll be ok.”

Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children.

Mr Burley said: “Race for Life events are not competitive. They are about an army of women crossing the finish line together in the fight against cancer. Whatever the distance, every step taken around the course will help bring us one step closer to the day when all cancers are cured.

“Everyone who takes part in Race for Life, and the people who support them, makes a massive contribution to their pioneering work. That’s why I’m issuing this plea to women across Northampton – please sign up now.”

To enter Race for Life visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.