Charity ‘Cancer Research UK’ is inviting primary and secondary schools in Leeds to take part in the Race for Life. This racing event helps to fund much needed cancer research with the intention of trying to save lives.
While the event is only held once annually in Leeds for the public, the charity is now urging schools to start their own races all year round. Schools can pick any day that suits their academic calendar, any location that is accessible to them and any distance that suits their students.
After signing up, schools receive a free package to help with the planning and execution of the event. The package includes sponsorship sheets for all participants, check-lists for the event-organisers, back signs so every student can decide who they are running for, and medals for everyone.
Some schools could also be aided by Cancer Research UK representatives on the day of the event and throughout the fundraising process. Kay Patchett, event organiser of Race for Life in Leeds said
“By taking part in Race for Life Schools they could help to turn discoveries made in the lab into new, better treatments for patients in the city and throughout the UK.”
In the UK one in every two people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives and one person gets diagnosed with cancer every day in Yorkshire alone. It therefore comes as no surprise that cancer is the leading cause of death amongst UK citizens.
Cancer Research is actively trying to combat the disease and the charity is the world leader in the research they do. They research all 200 types of cancer and survival rates have doubled since the 1970s. Much of this success can be attributed to the work of Cancer Research UK. The charity receives no funds from the government and relies on events like the Race for Life to fund research about how to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
Kay Patchett from Race for Life further commented that:
“Sadly, most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer. That’s why we’re calling on parents, pupils and staff in Leeds to unite and help make a real difference in the fight against the disease.”
Norris Bank Primary School has taken part in the scheme before and a spokesperson from the school adds that
“Cancer has hit our school hard in the last few years with pupils, close family members and staff being affected. Our free kit arrived and the medals were a big hit with the children. The messages some of them wore on their backs for the day goes to show why Cancer Research UK is such a great cause to raise money for.”
Image: Cancer Research UK