WOMEN are being urged to sign up for a charity run in Chipping Norton in June. Cancer Research UK's Race for Life will be run at Heythrop Park in Chipping Norton on Sunday, June 18.

It will be the fourth time Chipping Norton has hosted the 5km fund-raising event and this year, for the first time, the Journal is one of the race's official media partners.

Cancer Research UK says it has been delighted by the support and commitment in the past, with local women raising £135,000 in 2005.

This year, the charity is hoping that 750,000 women across the UK will enter at least one of 230 runs and raise £46 million.

Many of those taking part run with the names of loved ones who have died or been affected by cancer pinned to their clothes.

Karina Morgan, Chipping Norton's race organiser, is calling on everyone to get involved and help Race for Life beat this year's target:

"Every single woman who takes part in Race for Life and raises money is making an invaluable contribution towards the fight against cancer. Last year's event had an unforgettable atmosphere and was incredibly inspiring.

"We were delighted by the Chipping Norton success and proud that the town's women smashed our fund-raising target. We hope that everyone will get behind the event again this year, whether by taking part and raising money or coming down on the day to volunteer"

She added: "In 2005 the Chipping Norton race filled up in record time, an astonishing seven weeks before the race.

"This year we are encouraging women to sign up quickly to secure their place, the fastest way to do this is by visiting www.raceforlife.org and entering online - it is also the cheapest way for the charity - so women can help us twice."

Money raised by the event helps support Cancer Research UK's research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer.