RACE for Life in Southampton is full and once again 10,000 women will take part in the 5km charity challenge.

With a month to go until the big day, organisers had to close entries for the race on Southampton Common, but if you missed out on a place you can still play your part as a volunteer.

Race organiser Hannah Davies explained: "I'm delighted by the response of Southampton's women this year and thrilled that the event has filled so quickly.

Thank you so much to everyone who has signed up to take part and help us make a real difference to those affected by cancer.

"If you've not been able to get a place in the Southampton Race for Life this year, then why not come and volunteer on the day and give us your time?

"Enthusiastic people are needed who'd like to donate their time to help make the event successful.

"You can call our volunteer hotline on 08702 401112 to register your details and help us make the event happen."

The news comes just days after more than 2,500 runners took part in the Winchester Race For Life. Cancer Research UK hopes to raise more than £800,000 from the Southampton event and Hannah is encouraging participants to get going now with their fundraising.

"I now urge every woman that has got a place to get going with their fundraising so we can smash our target of £800,000 as it is so important to saving lives and funding the vital work of Cancer Research UK.

"One of the easiest ways to fundraise is to set up your online sponsorship page. Visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org to find out more," she said.

To help focus participants on where the money goes, the Daily Echo has teamed up with Cancer Research UK supernurse Anne Croudass and she has agreed to front our campaign aimed at boosting sponsorship.

Each year 10,000 women take part in the Southampton event but sadly just under half of those women fail to send in any sponsorship money.

Southampton-based Anne and her team of highly qualified nurses work with cancer patients throughout the country taking part in research trials.

It costs £800,000 to fund Anne and her team - the a m o u n t org a n i s e r s are hoping to top in Southampton.

"The work that Anne and the nurses in her team do is vital and it is wonderful for the women taking part in the Southampton event to realise that their efforts will pay for such important work," writes Woman & Lifestyle Editor Kate Thompson.