Cancer Research is set to hold fundraising events across the country as it looks to continue vital work to tackle the condition

Scots are being encouraged to get the new year off to a great start by signing up for the Race for Life.

Cancer Research’s landmark fundraiser is set to return for 2019, as the charity looks to continue to support the 32,000 people in Scotland it supports every year.

Those who take part in running challenges across the country will help to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, helping save more lives.

Organisers are appealing for Scots of all ages and abilities to stride out to help beat cancer with Scotland’s first Race for Life 5K and 10K events of the year kicking off in Stirling and South Queensferry on 12 May, closely followed this spring by events across the country, everywhere from Edinburgh to Irvine, Falkirk to Fife. Scotland’s biggest Race for Life event is on Sunday 19 May at Glasgow Green.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “Our Race for Life events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting.

“They help people with cancer by raising money for research, including clinical trials which give patients across Scotland access to the latest treatments. You don’t have to be sporty to take part. You don’t need to train or compete against anyone else. All you need to do is go to the Race for Life website, pick an event, sign up and then have fun raising money in whatever way you like.

“Taking part in our Race for Life events enables like-minded people to get together and remember loved ones lost to cancer or celebrate the lives of those who have survived. At the same time, they are helping to make a difference to people with cancer, right now. Our Race for Life events were women-only when they started, over 25 years ago. But we now feel the time is right to open them up so that everyone - women, men and children – has the chance to participate together.”

To enter Race for Life visit the website or call 0300 123 0770.