Fundraisers across Kent will get the chance unite against cancer for a special charity event next month.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, planned Race for Life events in Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Herne Bay, Margate and Folkestone in aid of Cancer Research UK (CRUK) had to be cancelled.

But now organisers have announced a 'Very 2020 Race for Life' which will see runners taking part in individual 5k runs on September 26.

The idea is that fundraisers will complete their run in their nearest green space in socially distanced groups but all on the same day.

Lynn Daly, CRUK’s spokesman for Kent, said: "Covid-19 has made the fight against cancer even harder.

"With around 51,400 people diagnosed with the disease every year in the South East, we will never stop striving to create better treatments and to ensure people affected by cancer get the support we need. But we can’t do it alone.

"That’s why we need people to join us for a Very 2020 Race for Life. Vital cancer research has been delayed this year. Even though we have to Race for Life differently in 2020, nothing’s going to stop us running, walking and jogging to raise money and help beat cancer."

Last year, Kent Race for Life participants raised £563,000 to support vital research to develop gentler and more effective treatments for cancer.

A live broadcast on the charity's Race for Life Facebook page will start at 9.30am on September 26 and will include advice from a fitness expert as well as inspirational messages of support from people who have been through cancer.

Participants are then invited to set off on their own Race for Life, and they are encouraged to share their photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #Very2020RaceForLife.

The charity spent more than £34 million last year in the South East on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

For more information visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770

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