THE countdown to Wirral's Race For Life continues with a heartfelt plea from organisers ahead of Valentine's Day.

Globe readers are being asked to make a date with their loved ones to sign up for the fundraising events taking place for Cancer Research UK in June.

Held in Birkenhead Park, Pretty Muddy takes place on Saturday, June 27 and Race For Life on Sunday, June 28.

The event is no longer restricted to female participants.

So couples, families and friends can take part together and show support for the 110 people diagnosed with cancer every day in the North West.

Caitlin Holme, Cancer Research UK's North West Events manager, said: "Valentine's Day is traditionally an occasion when we spend time with the people we love.

"For this reason, it's also the perfect opportunity to sign up to Race for Life and commit to spend time together, fundraising and then participating on the day."

She added: "Our events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. Participants get together and remember loved ones lost or celebrate the lives of those who have survived.

"At the same time, they are helping to make a difference to people with the disease, right now.

"The Race for Life is a powerful, inspirational movement which unites participants in Wirral with people across the North West and the whole of the UK.

"Participants take part at their own pace – taking as much time as they like to complete the course.

"For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. For others, it’s a jog or a run.

"Although 'Race' features in the name, our events are not competitive. Instead, 'the Race for Life' describes our doctors, nurses and scientists working as hard and fast as possible to help more people survive."

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research.

That's why money raised through the Race for Life events is vital.

It funds world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.

To sign up, visit www.raceforlife.org