A HELSTON school is adding Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life to the timetable for the summer term.

St Michael’s is hosting a special event on the school’s grounds on Tuesday July 7 as part of Race for Life’s schools programme.

Around 398 youngsters, aged from five to 11 years old, will join forces with teachers and governors, to take on cancer and walk, jog, run or dance 5k in aid of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.

To help the pupils prepare, teachers have been using a school's resource kit specially created by the charity which includes everything needed to stage the event as well as an assembly plan and top fundraising tips.

Shaun Perfect, head teacher at St Michael’s C of E Primary School, said: “Race for Life is a great addition to the school timetable. We’re really looking forward to taking part. The whole school is supporting the event so it will be a real team effort and a great day out for parents, pupils and staff, all whilst raising money for a seriously good cause. Most of us know someone who has been touched by cancer and we all have our special reasons for taking part and wanting to help more people survive.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of events which raises millions of pounds every year to help fund vital research.

Schools across the UK are being invited to hold their own Race for Life events in aid of the charity. They can choose a day that fits with the term calendar and pick a distance which suits the age and abilities of all pupils.

Rachel Carr, head of Race for Life, said: “Race for Life Schools is a fantastic way to have fun, get fit and save lives. Young people today are the generation who could see ground-breaking treatments and cures for cancer in their lifetime. They will be the researchers and lifesavers of tomorrow. But first, we need them to be the fundraisers of today – and walk, jog and run to help beat cancer sooner.”