AN ENERGETIC group of cheerleaders struck a pose on Saturday to encourage women in Worcester to sign up for this year’s Race for Life.

Members of the Dance in Motion cheerleading squad swapped their usual fitness routine to perform the Cancer Slam in Crowngate Shopping Centre on April 26 to make the launch of the campaign encouraging women of all ages and fitness levels to take on the annual challenge.

This year’s women-only event organised by Cancer Research UK and Tesco will be held at Worcester Race Course on Sunday, July 6 and participants can chose between a 5k or a 10k run.

Speaking before the event cheerleader Gemma Hinton said she hoped she and her team could inspire women to take up the challenge by performing the routine – which will also be used as the warm-up before this summer’s events.

“We’re so excited about taking part in the Cancer Slam and we’ve had a great time learning the routine,” she said.

“Cancer touches so many of us, including members of our group.

“That’s why we want to do everything we can to motivate women to power up the pink and show cancer who’s boss.”

The Cancer Slam is an energetic, defiant dance routine embodying the ethos of Race for Life and is performed by women warming up for their runs this summer.

Every hour three people in the West Midlands are diagnosed with cancer but – although the amount of people with forms of the disease is increasing – survival rates have doubled over the past 40 years.

Race for Life events manager Michelle Leighton said registration for the 10k event was already two-thirds full so any women wanting to take part should sign up quickly.

“The Cancer Slam is a fun, defiant and energetic dance which epitomises the power and emotion of Race for Life and we urge women from across the region to get involved and unite in the fight against cancer,” she said.

“Race for Life is non-competitive. It doesn’t matter how fit or fast you are.

“Taking part is about joining together against a disease that affects all of us.

“You can walk, run or dance on the course, so we urge local ladies to take the first step by signing up today.”

Last year 3,015 women took part in Worcester’s Race for Life, raising a whopping £163,000. This year organisers hope they can beat this figure by getting 3,400 taking part to raise at least £161,000.

To sign up for Worcester Race for Life call 0845 600 6050 or visit www.raceforlife.org.