Kim BriscoeNorfolk women helped to raise a record-breaking �750,000 for a cancer charity this year.More women than ever before took part in Norwich's Race for Life in May, with 12,072 runners collecting �754,938 in sponsorship so far, which will go towards research into the treatment diagnosis and prevention of cancer.Kim Briscoe

Norfolk women helped to raise a record-breaking �750,000 for a cancer charity this year.

More women than ever before took part in Norwich's Race for Life in May, with 12,072 runners collecting �754,938 in sponsorship so far, which will go towards research into the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer.

Now, for the first time, organiser Cancer Research UK is offering pre-paid places and is hoping that families will snap up the offer as a Christmas present for the women in their lives.

Costing �12.99, the pre-paid places cover the entry fee to Race for Life and come with a voucher code, entitling the recipient to take part next year.

Women with pre-paid entry will get advance notice so they can go-online and secure a place at their favourite event as soon as the Race for Life website goes live on January 11.

Cancer Research UK's Race for Life is the UK's largest women- only fundraising series where women everywhere are invited to do something amazing and come together to walk, jog or run 5k and raise money to help beat cancer.

In 2010 the event will be taking place again at the Royal Norfolk Showground, with races on Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2.

Gemma Turpin, Norwich event manager for Race for Life, thanked all those who supported the 2009 Race for Life and said they had raised an "amazing" amount of money.

She said: "Race for Life's new online pre-paid places offer people in Norwich the ideal solution to the annual gift dilemma of what to buy their mum, sister, daughter, niece or best friend for Christmas.

"The feelgood factor that comes from preparing to walk, jog or run the 5k, and then sharing in the spirit of sisterhood and pride on the day, will last far longer than turkey and tinsel.

"Race for Life in Norwich has a fantastic atmosphere, with local women of all ages, shapes, sizes

and fitness abilities coming

together to make a positive difference to the lives of people touched by cancer.

"They motivate and inspire each other to complete the 5k, with many simply walking round, chatting and having fun."

To book a pre-paid place now in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, visit www.raceforlife.org/register-for-2010.aspx.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.