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Pink gorillas on the loose in London for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life

The Cancer Research UK logo
by Cancer Research UK | News

29 May 2014

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Today, a huge band of ‘rare’ pink gorillas was spotted on the loose in London to the surprise of astounded commuters. The fancy dress run took place to raise awareness of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and to encourage women of all ages and fitness levels to sign up to their nearest event at raceforlife.org.

“Cancer has messed with one too many of us. But we’ve got something to tell cancer: we’re coming to get you… and we’ve brought gorillas!” – Emma Hyatt, Head of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life

The group of gorillas was seen hitting the pavements across the city, passing iconic landmarks such as London Bridge, Millennium Bridge and Trafalgar Square. They were seen monkey-ing around throughout the day: performing the Race for Life dance routine ‘the Cancer Slam’, offering ‘gorilla selfies’ to passers-by, and even rewarding themselves after their run with a sightseeing open top bus tour of the city!

Leukaemia survivor Emily Parker, 21, who took part in the run, said: “We’ve had so much fun raising awareness of Race for Life today – Londoners really went bananas when they saw so many pink gorillas running through the city!

“As a cancer survivor, I’m proud to be helping Cancer Research UK hit cancer where it hurts and I’d like to encourage as many women as possible to gather their friends and family and sign up to their local event.”

Emma Hyatt, Head of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, said: “Cancer has messed with one too many of us. But we’ve got something to tell cancer: we’re coming to get you… and we’ve brought gorillas!

“We want all women from across the UK, regardless of their age, shape or fitness level, to join us and unite against cancer at Race for Life this summer. Every step taken and every pound raised at Race for Life will help to fund our life-saving research into all 200 types of cancer.”

To mark the 20th year of Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, Cancer Research UK is inviting women across the country to sign up to their local event.

Women can take on cancer at Race for Life by walking, running or jogging at 5k events throughout the UK. Those wanting a bigger challenge can take on the 10k routes or sign up to the new Race for Life event Pretty Muddy, a 5k obstacle course where women can climb, jog and walk all over cancer.

Over the past 20 years, more than 7 million women have taken part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, raising over £526 million to fund the charity’s life-saving work.  But it does not stop there. In 2014 Cancer Research UK hopes that Race for Life will raise £50 million so that it can keep on fighting until cures for all 200 types of cancer are found.

Run, walk, dance, enter raceforlife.org

ENDS

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