HAMPSHIRE residents are being challenged to take thousands of steps to support life-saving cancer research.

Cancer Research UK is urging people to sign up to Walk All Over Cancer and get sponsored to take 10,000 steps every day in March.

Based on the average person’s strides, 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, so by the end of March participants will have clocked up more than 150 miles.

The initiative is aimed at raising vital funds to help further research into cancer and the charity as well as helping people to increase their fitness.

Elisa Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Hampshire, said: “1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but all of us can support the research that will beat it.

“We all hope that 2022 has a more positive outlook. So why not give yourself a boost by committing to get more active and having an achievable goal to aim for - all in aid of a good cause.

“There’s plenty of time for supporters to start building up to the challenge in March and planning new ways to fit in some extra steps, especially if you’re struggling to hit your daily step count when working from home."

Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £27million in the South East last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

It says its ambition is to see 3 in 4 people survive their cancer by 2034.

This comes after a period where the charity has been "hit hard" by the pandemic.

Elisa added: “We need as many people as possible to Walk All Over Cancer, because the progress we make in the fight against the disease relies on every step, every pound and every person.

“This past year proves, more than any other, the value of research and what can be achieved together. Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer.”

To sign up visit cruk.org/walkallover.