All Race for Life events due to take place in Kent and the rest of the UK this year have been cancelled.

Cancer Research UK has decided to withdraw all 400 races to protect the country’s health as restrictions on mass gatherings amid the Covid-19 pandemic continue.

This includes events in Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Herne Bay, Margate and Folkestone.

Participants who have already signed up will be contacted directly by the charity and can either request a refund or donate their entry fee.

However, people are encouraged to take part in the Race for Life at Home instead - in their garden or local park.

Ideas on how to create your own, personal challenge can be found on the charity's website, free of charge, and organisers also urge you to share photos and videos of your race using the hashtag #RaceForLifeAtHome.

Around 51,400 people are diagnosed with cancer in south east England every year, but since the Race for Life began in 1994, it has raised more than £890m.

Survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK has helped with long-term research and trials, leading to tests and treatments which have saved lives.

But the charity expects to see its fundraising income decline by up to 25% in the next financial year as a direct result of the coronavirus crisis.

The organisation's south east spokesman, Lynn Daly said: "We remain completely 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."

Ms Daly added: "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.

"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.”

The KM Group is committed to helping the community through the KM Charity team. For more information and to find out what other good causes you can get involved in click here.

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