CANCER Research UK is urging people to get involved in its Relay for Life event. 

Relay for Life, which will be held on July 29 at South Cerney Airfield, invites Cirencester residents to find at least eight people they want to spend 24 hours with for a good cause. 

Teams of between eight to 15 people will raise as much money as possible for life-saving cancer research.

They will then take turns to walk round a track in a carnival atmosphere.

Team members not on the track take turns to rest, eat, or sleep in their tents which are set up close by.

As dusk falls, the specially made Candle of Hope bags - decorated with touching messages in memory or in celebration of loved ones - are filled with sand and lit up with candles around the track.

Sharon Scrivens, volunteer chair of Cancer Research UK’s Relay For Life in Cirencester, said: “Relay For Life is a great way to spend time with your family, friends and colleagues while raising money for a truly worthwhile cause.

“One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives. Taking part in Relay For Life is about being part of a community united in the belief that it can make a difference. Cancer Research UK needs everyone in Cirencester to act right now.

“We have made so much progress in the fight against this devastating disease, but it’s not just technology or knowledge that we need to win the battle to beat cancer– it’s funding.

“Today as many people survive cancer as die from cancer, but there’s much more work to do.”

For more information, visit cruk.org/relay or call 0300 123 1026.

Meanwhile, Cirencester Race for Life, with 5k and 10k events, is also open for entries. 

The race takes place on Thursday, June 8 at the Bathurst Estate in Cirencester Park. 

There are currently 330 women registered and with just three weeks left, the charity are hoping to have 700 competitors. 

To sign up, go to raceforlife.org.