SPORTY Sam Sleap epitomises what the Alberto-Culver Run 4 Fun in Basingstoke is all about.

The 12-year-old is running to raise money for cancer research because two of his family have been afflicted by the disease.

Sam's grandfather, up in Yorkshire, is fighting prostate cancer, while his dad's uncle died from cancer of the spine two years ago.

Their battles with the disease have prompted Sam, from Brighton Hill, to take part in this year's Run 4 Fun.

He said: "I want to run and help raise money for people to get the best help and treatment when they get cancer.

"I'm getting some money from my friends, and my dad is helping me to get sponsorship from people he knows. I hope to get up to £50."

Referring to his grandfather, Sam said: "He is quite poorly. We speak to him most weekends and try to get up to see him as often as we can. I'm running for him."

Sam will proudly wear the number one shirt for the five-kilometre run.

He said: "I am very happy to be wearing it and I'm looking forward to the race."

Keen athlete Sam is a member of Basingstoke and Mid-Hants AC, representing them in cross country and the jump events in the summer, which he says he prefers.

Sam also enjoys biathlon, but points out that those taking part in the Alberto-Culver Run 4 Fun don't have to run the circuit.

"They can walk or jog if they would prefer," he said.

The Alberto-Culver Run 4 Fun takes place at Down Grange on Wednesday, May 5, at 7.30pm.

Last year's participants have already been contacted by Cancer Research UK.

The organisation has sent letters out to encourage them to, once again, don their running shoes and raise vital funds for research into cancers that affect men.

And The Basingstoke Extra has today printed a registration form for dads, lads and granddads to fill out so that, together, we can make this year's event the best-ever.

Kate MacDougall, Cancer Research UK events fundraiser, said: "Entries are coming in steadily and we have 140 so far, but we hope to have much, much more - around 1,000.

"If we get that many entrants, we're hopeful this year's Run 4 Fun in Basingstoke will raise around £40,000.

"It is very important that we raise as much money as possible, because one in three men will develop cancer during their lifetime and more than 131,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year.

"We need to make sure we raise the money for research that ensures cases continue to be treated successfully."