TODAY a cancer charity is launching a social media campaign to encourage as many women and girls to sign up for this year’s Race for Life.

Cancer Research UK will be launching a Twitter campaign ‘This is Beating Cancer’ where they are asking participants to tweet a short video explaining that they are doing to support the race, which takes place in Oxford on Sunday, July 9 at 10am at University Parks.

Kelly Rumble, marketing manager for Oxford, said: “Our hope is that this will result in a mass Twitter focus across the country tweeting about Race for Life’ within the same eight hours.”

From 9am to 5pm the campaign will be live.

Participants are encouraged to include with their video the following message: “This Is @ X team Beating Cancer in #Oxford. Sign up right now to #RaceforLife http://po.st/jVXbDI”

Last year about 3,000 people took part in Race for Life in the city and for the first time some residents who wanted more of a challenge took on a 10k course.

In September the charity will also be running another Pretty Muddy 5k obstacle course, for those who want another challenge.

That event will take place on Saturday, September 16from 10am at South Park.

Ms Rumble added: ““Every day, around 130 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East.

“That’s why we’re calling on women in Oxford to make 2017 a year to remember.

“Together, we can stop this devastating disease in its tracks.”

For more information visit: raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org