DORSET'S Race for Life events, scheduled for October 18 and 25, have been cancelled for 2020.

Cancer Research UK have withdrawn all 400 Race for Life events across the UK this year to adhere to social distancing guidelines and restrictions on mass gatherings caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Dorset events were initially scheduled to take place in the summer but were postponed to October earlier this year. Now the events, which were due to take place in Poole and Bournemouth and include events for children as well as the usual 5k and 10k runs, has been cancelled completely.

The charity to expect to see its fundraising income decline by up to 25% in the next financial year as a direct result of the fundraising events that have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

Jenny Makin, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in Dorset, said: "We remain tirelessly committed to making progress for people affected by cancer but now more than ever, support from the public will be vital. We simply will not be able to continue funding our life-saving work without it.

"Since it began in 1994, Race for Life has raised over £890m for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue.

"We know Race for Life is such a treasured part of the UK’s events calendar and it is with a heavy heart that for the first time in 27 years we have to announce that it won’t be taking place. The safety of our supporters, volunteers, suppliers and staff is however essential.

"We hope the Race for Life event series will be back bigger and stronger than ever in 2021. In the meantime, we’d love to invite as many people as possible to join us by taking part in Race for Life at Home in these challenging times."

Some undeterred fundraisers in Hampshire are already vowing to complete a Race for Life at Home challenge in their garden or their nearest green space. Others are being encouraged to join in and share photos and videos of their own challenged on social media using the hashtag #RaceForLifeAtHome.

Jenny added: "Cancer hasn’t stopped and people affected by cancer need our support more than ever.

"From a run or 5K walk around the garden or local park to limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home. With no entry fee, people might choose to twerk, star jump, squat, skip, dance, trampoline, or come up with their own novel way of taking part and share it with friends.

"We’re urging everyone – men women and children – to join our community and help raise vital funds."

For more information on Race for Life and to sign up for ideas on how to participate in the Race for Life at Home challenge, visit raceforlife.org.