BOTH of Ipswich's Race for Life events are now full with 4,500 pledging to take part in the five kilometre fundraisers.

BOTH of Ipswich's Race for Life events are now full with 4,500 pledging to take part in the five kilometre fundraisers.

Race for Life, which raises money for Cancer Research UK, has been held at Ipswich's Chantry Park for the past five years but this year an extra race was added to meet demand.

That race will take place at the Suffolk Showground a month after the first and will involve an additional 2,000 women.

Heidi Connell, race organiser, said: “I'm absolutely delighted that this year's race has been so popular. I hope that all those women who have a place are now on their way to raising lots of sponsorship to help us reach our £400,000 target and are looking forward to the day.

“For a new race to fill so quickly is phenomenal and from an organiser's point of view it is great to think that we have enabled an extra 2,000 ladies the chance to run in Ipswich this year.”

Ipswich's first Race for Life event will take place on Sunday, June 18 at Chantry Park and will involve 2,500 women.

The second event, at the showground, will take place on the evening of Wednesday, July 19.

Some of the 4,500 women taking part in the races will run in memory of friends and family affected by cancer and some will have fought the disease themselves.

Mrs Connell said it was important those taking part raise as much as possible in sponsorship as the race fee only covers the cost of putting on the race.

Over the last five years £400,000 has been raised by women running the Ipswich race and it is hoped that the combined sum this year will equal that figure.

Weblink: www.raceforlife.org

Set yourself a target - whether its £50, £150, or even more, aim as high as you can.

Visit www.raceforelifesponsorme.org and put together your own personalised online sponsor form.

The first person on your sponsorship form sets the level that everyone else will follow, so make sure you ask someone generous first or sponsor yourself.

Take your form everywhere, you never know when you might meet someone that would like to help.

Ask your boss if your company will match the sponsorship money you raise.

Ask people to tick the gift aid box. It gives the charity an extra 28p from the government for every £1 raised.