ORGANISERS of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Worcestershire have been force to pull the plug on their much-loved events 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.
The cancellation also affects all the events which had been rescheduled for the late summer and autumn. These include the 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events at Worcester Racecourse which had been rescheduled for the weekend of September 19 and 20.
Participants who have already signed up will be contacted directly by the charity.
Cancer Research UK expects to see its fund-raising income decline by up to 25 per cent in the next financial year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paula Young, the charity’s West Midlands spokesperson, 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.
“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 the region 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
