GLOBE readers are being urged to look beyond lockdown by making a date to join Wirral's Race for Life or Pretty Muddy events in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The charity's much-loved events, taking place at Birkenhead Park on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10, are open to people of all ages and abilities.

Events include a 3K, 5K, 10K as well as Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course.

Hundreds of people are already signed up to take part - and there is still plenty of time to join them.

Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, saving lives as the charity fights back from the impact of the pandemic.

Siobhan Byrne, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Wirral, said: "Race for Life offers the perfect opportunity for people across the area to run, walk or jog and raise money for life-saving research.

"All 400 mass participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country's health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So this year, more than ever, we need people to enter the Race for Life - for the people we love, for the people we've lost and for the one in two of us who will get cancer."

Wirral Globe: Effie Grant during recent year's Race for Life

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, which has been in partnership with Tesco for 20 years, is an inspiring series of 3K, 5K, 10K, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

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

This year, participants will set off on the Race for Life course either alone or in small, socially distanced groups. Hand sanitiser will also be provided with participants encouraged to use it before and after the event.

Siobhan added: "We'll ask participants to respect social distancing before, during and after the event.

"But we promise our events will remain colourful, emotional and uplifting. The safety of our Race for Life participants is our absolute priority.

"We've been constantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation and have developed ways to ensure our events can operate safely, following government guidance.

"It may be that events look a bit different this year but we are working proactively with our venues and suppliers to deliver a socially distanced but great experience.

"Sadly, cancer touches almost every family at some point. Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. 

"That's why we need as many people as possible across the Wirral to join us, to stand united and do something extraordinary to help beat cancer.

"We know that 2020 was a year like no other and we had to overcome many challenges thrown our way during the global pandemic.

"But this past year proves, more than any other, the value of investing in science and medical research and what can be achieved by working together.

Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer. We are absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow.”

To enter Race For Life or Pretty Muddy, go to www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.