ORGANISERS of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Rugby have been forced to cancel the popular annual event.
The charity has postponed events this spring and summer across the UK to protect the country’s health during the coronavirus outbreak. This includes the Race for Life 5K and 10K at Rugby School scheduled for Sunday July 5.
Participants who have already signed up for a Race for Life event will be contacted directly by the charity. It remains unclear if the Rugby event will be rescheduled but a decision will be announced as soon as possible.
Katie Bevan, Cancer Research UK event manager for Rugby, said: “As the coronavirus outbreak continues to unfold, we are listening to the advice and guidance of the UK Government carefully.
“While our priority is ensuring that people affected by cancer get the support and information they need during unprecedented times, we’re having to work quickly to understand the impact the pandemic will have on Cancer Research UK’s fundraising.
“We have urgently reviewed our events, including Race for Life. As the safety of our supporters, volunteers, suppliers and staff across the hundreds of Race for Life events due to take place in 2020 is incredibly important we have made the decision to postpone the events scheduled in May, June and July including Race for Life Rugby this July. We will aim to deliver as many events as possible later in the year.
“We know this will be a huge disappointment to our supporters, but I’m sure they will understand. We’ll be in touch with everyone who has signed up as soon as possible to let them know next steps.
“Since it began, Race for Life has raised over £890million for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue.”
Every hour four people are diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands, including Warwickshire.
But more people are surviving the disease. 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 £11million last year in Warwickshire and the West Midlands on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.
Visit raceforlife.org for further details.
