ORGANISERS of a unique Dorset fundraising event are urging local people to get involved.

Cancer Research UK’s Relay For Life is a celebration of life and hope, aiming to unite communities to help beat cancer.

Teams of between eight and 15 people – of all ages and levels of fitness – are needed to take part in the overnight fundraising festival at Ferndown Leisure Centre on July 12 and 13.

During the relay, team members take it in turns to walk round a track while everyone else enjoys a wide range of other fun activities.

As Relay For Life is non-stop through the night, those team members not on the track take turns to rest, eat, or sleep in their tents, which are set up close by.

As dusk falls, as the Candle of Hope ceremony begins, with specially-made Candle of Hope bags – decorated with touching messages in memory or in celebration of loved ones – are filled with sand and lit up with candles around the track.

This is the second time Relay For Life has returned since its break in 2012. Team registration is now open and organisers are urging participants to sign up and help take the total monies raised from Relay events in Ferndown to £250,000.

Chris Symonds volunteer chairman of Cancer Research UK’s Relay For Life Bournemouth & East Dorset said: “We would love to hear from anyone who wants to find out more about Relay For Life and how they can help.”

For information on how to enter Relay For Life, visit cruk.org/ relay or call 0871 641 2602 to find out more.