Winchester MP Steve Brine, agreed to do a bit of canvassing with a difference at the weekend when he launched this year's Race for Life.
The MP took to the streets to encourage women in his constituency to take part in this year’s Tesco and Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.
Steve joined the Race for Life team at his local Tesco superstore at Easton Lane to ask women to “Join the Girls.”
Over 500 women have already signed up for Winchester Race for Life which is on Sunday 12th June at The Garrison Ground, Bar End Road, but there is room for over 3,500 more.
Steve, a father of two who is joint-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer and a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Cancer and Ovarian Cancer, is supporting the event and will play an active role on the day.
The MP, who was accompanied by his three year old daughter, Emily, at the weekend said: “I am very happy to support Race for Life. It has been a popular event in Winchester over the past few years and I hope this year it will break all previous records with 3,500 women taking part.
"Every hour, around five people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East and I know from my involvement on parliamentary committees on different cancers that research is making a difference to survival rates”.
Race for Life started as one event in 1994 at Battersea Park with 680 participants. Since then, an incredible 4.7 million participants across the UK have raised over £327 million to fund Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research. In 1994, many people diagnosed with cancer did not survive but, today, more people are beating the disease than ever before. This year it is hoped £80 million will be raised.
Race for Life at Southampton - at The Common on Sunday, July 10 - has already filled almost 1500 places out of a possible 12,000.
Rachel White, the event manager at Winchester and Southampton, said: “We really appreciate Steve taking time out of his already busy weekend in his constituency to support Race for Life.
“He did his bit to persuade shoppers at Tesco women of all ages and fitness levels can take part and make a positive difference to people affected by cancer by simply walking round the course, chatting and having fun.
“This year, as well as our Race for Life regulars, I would love to see many new faces taking part to help save more lives.”
Rachel added: “Their involvement could make a big difference to cancer patients on their doorstep”.
“One-in-three people in the UK will be diagnosed with the disease at some stage in their lives. More people are beating it than ever before and Cancer Research UK’s work is at the heart of that progress.
Pictured; Steve Brine with daughter Emily (in the shades!) and the girls from Tesco at Winnall on Saturday 12 March 2011.
More information ...
Women in Winchester can enter Tesco and Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at www.raceforlife.org or by calling 0871 641 1111. Entry fee is £14.99 to cover the costs of staging the event series. All money raised in sponsorship will go directly to our work to help beat cancer.