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Cancer Research UK Race for Life Inverness event cancelled for 2020 due to coronavirus


By Gregor White

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Participants at last year's Race for Life event in Inverness.
Participants at last year's Race for Life event in Inverness.

Continuing restrictions on mass gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic have led organisers to cancel this year's Cancer Research Race for Life.

The Inverness outing, which had been due to take place at Bught Park on May 24, is among 400 similar events across the country which have been cancelled by Cancer Research UK.

The Inverness event had originally been postponed with the hope that it could be rescheduled for the autumn, and the decision to cancel it altogether is a major blow to the charity.

Cancer Research UK expects to see its fundraising income decline by up to 25 per cent in the next financial year as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Participants who have already signed up will be contacted directly by the charity.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, 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.

“Since it began in 1994, Race for Life has raised over £890 million for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue.

“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.”

The Race for Life at Home challenge can be completed in any garden or nearest green space and 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

Ms Adams continued: “Cancer hasn’t stopped and people affected by cancer need our support more than ever.

“From a run or 5K walk around the garden or local park to limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home.

"With no entry fee, people might choose to twerk, star jump, squat, skip, dance, trampoline, or come up with their own novel way of taking part and share it with friends.

"We’re urging everyone – men, women and children – to join our community and help raise vital funds.”

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