The head of a major cancer research unit is calling on people to support thousands of women preparing to raise money for charity.

Professor Lesley Fallowfield is in charge of the psychosocial oncology group at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

The group is paid for by Cancer Research UK and is one of the biggest of its kind in the world.

Prof Fallowfield will be officially starting the first of two Race for Life events at Stanmer Park in Brighton next month while a team from the unit will also be taking part in the race itself.

Prof Fallowfield said: "This is a tremendous event and year after year thousands of women and girls of all ages take the time to raise as much money as they can.

"The races have a fun atmosphere and can be joyful but they are also very moving. Almost everyone there has either lost someone to cancer, had the disease themselves or knows someone who has had it."

Prof Fallowfield's research group works on ways to help support patients and their families in different ways and also looks at how to train doctors and nurses to communicate properly to patients with cancer.

She said: "I am surrounded by cancer and cancer patients and the impact of it all day every day.

"Very few people are left untouched by the disease which is why it is so important to keep on fighting and researching into its causes and treatment."

Almost 8,000 women and girls have signed up to take part in the Brighton races on July 2 and 3.

A successful race was held at Tilgate Park in Crawley last month and the Eastbourne race takes place at the Sports Park on Sunday.

Another event is at Alexandra Park in Hastings on June 19.

Details are available at www.raceforlife.org.uk or by calling 08705 134314.

lA report of the Eastbourne Race for Life will be in Monday's edition of The Argus.