THERE are just two weeks to go to the annual charity fun run for men and boys of all ages from across the borough.

The official launch of Basingstoke's Alberto Culver Run4Fun took place last month at nine gyms and sports centres, and now the drive is on to get participants to sign up for the fundraiser, which will take place on May 3, at Down Grange, starting at 7.30pm.

Last year's event raised £48,759, beating the £42,578 raised in 2004. Staff at Cancer Research UK - which organises and benefits from the Alberto Culver Run4Fun - are hoping fundraising will smash the £50,000 barrier this year.

As well as raising funds for research, the Gazette Newspapers-backed event aims to increase awareness of male cancers.

Nearly 1,500 men and boys took part in the five-kilometre run last year, and event organiser Kate MacDougall said the aim is to make this year's event the biggest and most successful to date.

She said: "The Alberto Culver Run4Fun is now in its fifth year and has raised in excess of £135,000 for vital research into cancers that affect men.

"This fun run is a fabulous event for men and boys of all ages and is now a well-established annual event within the Basingstoke community.

"I would urge anyone who has not taken part before to give it a try. It's a great evening - and who knows when you might need the benefit of the research we are all raising money for?"

Kate added: "Education and awareness is a big part of this event but the fundraising side is vitally important. One idea we always like to push is matched funding.

"People can go to their employers, for example, and ask them to match whatever money they raise. This is a great way of doubling the money people can collect."

Everyone who returns their sponsor money by June 30 will be entered into a prize draw and will be in with a chance of winning a year's supply of run sponsor Alberto Culver's well-known TRESemm hair products and electrical accessories.

Kate also highlighted the importance of ticking the gift aid box on the sponsor form if you are a UK taxpayer, so even more money can go directly towards the research and treatment of male cancers.

An entry form for this year's event can be found on the Run4Fun section of this website.

First published: Wednesday, April 19, 2006