A DEDICATED supporter of Cancer Research UK is going a few steps further this year.

Effie Grant, who has been a volunteer at Race for Life at Basingstoke in recent years, has decided to take part with her 14-year-old daughter.

Effie, who is also a Cancer Research UK Campaigns Ambassador, said: “Nana-Aba and I have helped at the event but this year we are going to try and take part, even if we walk it!”

Entrepreneur Effie, who lives in the town and co-runs Blankson’s Ltd.laundry company, lost her step-mother to breast cancer and, more recently, her sister to colorectal cancer.

She is urging others to look beyond lockdown by joining them at Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Basingstoke.

The charity’s much-loved events are aiming to return with socially distanced measures to keep participants safe.

The Race for Life events which take place at Down Grange Sports Complex, Basingstoke on Saturday August 14 are open to people of all ages and abilities.

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

Every year around 52,100 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East.

Sam Morris, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Basingstoke, said: “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."

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.

Sam 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 Basingstoke 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, visit: raceforlife.org