£40K target for men’s run (From Basingstoke Gazette)

£40K target for men’s run

9:21am Thursday 18th February 2010 in

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SOME jog in a funny wig and one or two dress as Spider-man.

But all men and boys of Basingstoke are being called upon to take part in the Alberto Culver 2010 Run4Fun4Men and raise awareness for men’s cancers.

Organisers launched the ninth annual run – which is open to all ages and abilities but is exclusively for male entrants – in Festival Place shopping centre.

The run starts at 7.30pm on May 5 at Down Grange Sports Complex, in Pack Lane, Basingstoke.

Fathers, grandfathers, boys and toddlers are all welcome to join hundreds of others to run, walk or saunter round the 5km course.

The event, which raises funds and awareness for Cancer Research UK and its work on male cancers in particular, was started up by June Balcombe and Jan Lefley in 2002.

Mrs Balcombe, of Mayfield Ridge, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, who is chairman of the event committee, said: “It’s a fun run not a marathon and it’s great for families to take part in, but most importantly the event is to raise awareness for men’s cancer, because men don’t talk about these things and we |are trying to get the message across.”

But she added: “We have a target of raising £40,000 in mind for this year.”

Just under 1,200 people raised over £29,000 at last year’s run, and this year organisers hope to attract 2,000 entrants.

Mrs Lefley, of Kempshott Lane, Kempshott, Basingstoke, said: “We really want teams from companies to enter because that will swell numbers and we also want local schools to get involved.”

Octogenarian David Cockerill, of Trinidad Close, Popley, Basingstoke, who was last year’s oldest entrant, will be taking part again in 2010.

The 82-year-old said: “I love doing it!”

Health and beauty product company Alberto Culver, based at Chineham Business Park, have sponsored the event from the beginning, covering all costs so that 100 per cent of entry fees and sponsorship money raised can go to the charity.

Linda Aitken, human resources manager at Albert Culver’s Basingstoke branch, said: “For us this is all about getting involved in the community and drawing attention to prostate cancer. Now we want to get even more people!”

Advance entries cost £8.50 for adults and £5.50 for those under 16. Entry on the night costs £10.

Anyone wishing to enter or volunteer for the event can go online to run4fun4men.co.uk Further information is also available by emailing run4fun4men @tesco.net, leaving a message at 07810 160622 or writing to Run4fun4men, Old Down Hall, 364 Kempshott Lane, Basingstoke, RG22 5UY