Race for Life events cancelled across Devon

ORGANISERS of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life events in Devon regret to announce the much-loved events are cancelled for 2020.

The charity has taken the difficult decision to withdraw all 400 Race for Life events across the UK this year to protect the country’s health as restrictions on mass gatherings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continue.

This includes the Race for Life 5K and 10K at Plymouth, Barnstaple, Exeter planned for later this year, is now cancelled. Participants who have already signed up will be contacted directly by the charity.

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 pandemic.

Alison Birkett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in the South West, 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 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.”

Undeterred, women and men across Devon are already vowing to carry on and complete a Race for Life at Home challenge, in their garden or their nearest green space. People can visit raceforlife.org and sign up free for ideas on how they can create their 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

Alison Birkett 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.”

Around 34,800 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the South West of England. But the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies entirely on the public’s generous support. The charity was able to spend over £2 million last year in the South West on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research. Our dedicated scientists in the region work across Exeter, Plymouth and Somerset to help prioritise difficult to diagnose cancers and improve cancer outcomes both in hospital settings and universities.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raise millions of pounds every year to find new ways to tackle cancer.

The Devon events had originally been scheduled to take place in the summer but were rescheduled for late August (Plymouth/Barnstaple) and with Exeter rescheduled for 24/25th October. The decision to cancel these events altogether is a major blow to the charity.

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 South West.

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