THE Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust will be charity partner for the Birdseye Sports Evesham Vale 10K running race.

This year’s race takes place on Sunday, July 8.

Race director Richard Leathers met up with Sue Sollis, founder of the Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust, and was impressed with the enthusiasm and support her charity offered.

He said: “We were looking for a deserving local charity when the shocking news was announced about the Aston Villa player Stylian Petrov being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.

“It really struck a chord with the runners at the Evesham club.

“We then decided that we would work with Sue and the trust. Early diagnosis is a key to effective treatment of leukaemia, so hopefully the early blood test undergone by Petrov will stand him in good stead.

“Funding for research and treatment is also vital, so we are also hoping to make a generous donation to the trust, after the race.”

Entries for the race are now being accepted with entry forms available from the Tracy Sollis charity shop and Birdseye Sports in Evesham.

Online entries are also available via both the Runbritain and Runners World websites.

The race also forms part of the closing ceremony of Evesham’s Festival of Sport.

For information call Mr Leathers on 01386 870837.

... if you need to get training

ANYONE planning on taking part in the Evesham 10k race might want to get some training in with a charity race in the Cotswolds this month. There is still time to enter either the 10k or 5k fun run at the Moreton Fire Service College on Sunday, April 29, which is raising funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust – a blood cancer charity. The event, organised by Fire Service College Mess Club, will be held on the college’s unique incident ground, where firefighters are trained to deal with fires – a place normally closed to the public. This is the third year the run is taking place and each year a new president of the mess club is appointed to organise fund-raisers. Last year the event raised £4,000 for Clic Sergeant and organisers are hoping to beat this with an even bigger event. Gates open at 9.30am and there will be teas, coffees and refreshments. It costs £12 to enter either race and donations are also welcome. For details, e-mail fsc10k@fire servicecollege.ac.uk.