WOMEN taking part in this weekend's Race for Life event in Poole are being urged to make a final push for fund-raising.

More than 1,600 women will be pounding their way around Poole Park on Sunday May 8, not Saturday as published in this week's Advertiser, to raise thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK and final preparations are under way to make sure the event is a huge success.

Organisers are hoping the participants will top the £52,500 raised in 2004 and help towards the £23 million national fund-raising target.

There are more than 200 different types of cancer that have different causes, different symptoms and require different types of treatment. All money raised from this year's Race for Life campaign will go towards research into the prevention, treatment and cure of the disease.

The Poole race on Sunday kicks off at 11am and starts and finishes in the park, with the majority of the race taking place along the promenade, on surrounding roads, through Baiter recreation ground and in Poole Park.

There is no specific Race for Life parking and motorists are asked to park in the town centre, which is a short walk from the start.

Lorna Glanfield, national events executive for Race for Life, said: "We are so delighted by the response we've had for Race for Life in Dorset.

"It's absolutely incredible that the Poole and Bournemouth races filled so quickly and with the second event now happening in Bournemouth, over 9,500 women will be taking part from the area.

"We hope that all of those women remember why these events are so important and are working hard to raise their sponsorship as the big day approaches."

Local fitness instructor Debbie Whittle will be taking the aerobic warm-up to get the participants ready for the race.

Race for Life is sponsored nationally by Tesco and locally by JP Morgan.

If you would still like to take part in a Race for Life event, there are still some spaces available for the 2pm race along Bournemouth seafront on June 19.

Click here to visit the Race for Life website.

Don't forget to pick up your copy of the Daily Echo on Monday May 9 to see a four-page picture special and race listings.

First published: May 6