A GROUP of friends who met through a physical exercise programme for people with recent experiences of cancer are tackling a 10k run in the New Year.

The running group has been set up as one of the options offered by Brighter Outlook, a free and personalised physical activity programme for people living with or beyond cancer in Brighton and Hove.

It is run by Albion in the Community (AITC), the official charity of Brighton and Hove Albion FC, and is funded by NHS Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group and supported by Macmillan Cancer Support.

In its second year, Brighter Outlook has already helped more than 200 people to become more physically active and now members of the group have targeted completing Brighton’s BM10k in April.

Research has shown that in most cases staying active during cancer treatment is safe and also has a host of positive impacts on health and fitness, including reduced fatigue, improved mood and decreased risk of the cancer reoccurring.

Running group member Birgit Miller said: "I was told by my consultant to lose weight and get fit to help fight my type of cancer and our Brighter Outlook coach’s advice on the amount and type of exercise I do is invaluable.

"Unless you have some experience or professional knowledge you don’t know how much is realistic, how fast to pace yourself and what are some realistic goals to get you stronger.

"Brighter Outlook has improved my stamina so much and I’m getting much stronger as each week passes.

"I am exercising in a way I have never exercised before."

Brighter Outlook offers a variety of free to access activity options for people to suit all ages and abilities, from budding runners to seated circuits.

The new running group meets every Monday at 9.30am by the Peace Statue in Hove and the session is proving particularly popular despite none of the participants having had any previous experience of running.

For more information on Brighter Outlook visit brighteroutlook.org.uk or call 01273 668591.