A CHARITY relay to be held in Cirencester in the summer, is to officially launch on World Cancer Day next month.

Cirencester Relay For Life is to be held at South Cerney Airfield on Saturday, July 29, with organiser Sharon Scrivens hoping the event will raise more than £100,000 for Cancer Research UK.

World Cancer Day takes place on February 4, and Sharon and her team will have an information gazebo in the Market Place, where they will also be fundraising.

In the evening, a party will be held at The Wheatsheaf pub on Cricklade Street, where everyone is welcome to drop in for drinks and food.

Having lost her son Ashley Scrivens in 2014 to melanoma and her father Alan Carpenter to leukaemia in 2000, Sharon, 54, has dedicated herself to helping raise funds to beat the disease.

Starting at noon, the July relay event – to be held in the town for the first time – will see teams of eight to 15 members running or walking non-stop for 24 hours around a 400-metre track.

Sharon estimates that around £10,000 will be needed to stage the event, with the rest of the funds raised going to the charity.

"There's no government funding for cancer research," she said.

"In the two years since Ashley died, some types of melanoma now are more treatable and the survival rate's gone up a little bit.

"I'm glad that's happening, because what's the point in doing all this work - that's what we want.

"I know it doesn't help Ashley, but it can help somebody else.

"As long as another family doesn't have to go through what we've gone through, it's okay.

"You don't want to lose a child, it's not the way it should be."

A black tie ball will be held in Cirencester Parish Church on Friday, March 31 to raise further funds.

Champagne and canapés will be given to guests on arrival, before a two-course meal, accompanied by a piano performance, followed by a live band.

Tickets are £60.

Sharon is also appealing to any cancer survivors to contact her to take part in a celebratory opening lap at noon on the day.

You can call her on 07802691021 or email sharonscrivens@outlook.com if you would like to get involved in any capacity.

Visit relay.cancerresearchuk.org to find out more about the event and enter a team.