STAFF at a Worcestershire insurance brokers will be strapping on their running shoes in a bid to beat cancer.

Seven employees at Jelf Clarke Roxburgh in Malvern are limbering up for a 5km jaunt around the Glynn Mitchell Rugby Ground in Droitwich on Sunday, April 3, at Worcestershire’s second Race4Men event.

The company entered a team into last year’s event, which raised £10,300 for Cancer Research UK, as well as awareness of male cancers.

Ed Partridge, development underwriter, said he hoped the team’s efforts would inspire other firms to take part.

“We decided to take up the challenge for a second year, because we all have a personal reason for supporting Cancer Research UK’s work,” said the 27-year-old.

“I lost my mum to cancer and there are ladies in the company who do Race For Life because they are cancer survivors. We felt this was something men could do to help and this was important to us all. It’s a great way to get fit, so there are definite health benefits for companies, especially for people who have sedentary jobs and it’s a chance to do something together outside of work, so it doubles up as a great team building exercise. Last year, we got a lot out of it.”

The team, which includes Mr Partridge, Lee Amphlett, aged 31, Trevor Allsopp, 40, Carl Gurney, 36, Lee Hatchett, 30, Chris Aston, 21, and Craig Woodward, 30 – hope to raise about £500.

Race4Men 2011 is open to all males, with those under 18 requiring a signed parental disclaimer which can be obtained by emailing worcestershirerace4men@hotmail.co.uk

Entry is £6, or £3 for under-12s, and to register, visit supportus.cancerresearchuk.org/WorcestershireRace4Men