ALL the money raised through Race For Life will go to Cancer Research UK, the country's leading charity formed earlier this year by the merger of Imperial Cancer Research Fund and Cancer Research Campaign.

The charity has a team of 3,000 doctors and scientists and is the biggest independent cancer research organisation in the world.

Cancer Research UK supports and carries out research programmes in institutes, hospitals, universities and medical schools throughout Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the European leader in anti-cancer drug development and its extensive programme of research ensures that new treatments reach patients as quickly as possible.

The charity's clinical departments contribute to improvements in treatment for adults and children with cancer. And its experts also carry out research into the causes and development of the disease, designing new approaches to treatment and prevention.

Through research into the genetic and environmental basis of cancer, the charity hopes to identify those people at high risk and to examine the possibilities for reducing that risk and preventing cancer. Another priority is the development of screening for early detection of cancer.

A further aim is to improve the well-being of patients through research into the psychological impact of cancer and to improve communication between doctor and patient.

The charity also provides cancer information and guidelines for GPs and promotes cancer prevention through education and research.

Also, it is committed to training the next generation of cancer scientists and doctors.