HAMPSHIRE residents are being challenged to kick start the New Year by taking steps to support Cancer Research UK.

The charity is urging people to sign up 'Walk All Over Cancer' and get sponsored to walk 10,000 paces every day for a month.

Not only will vital money be raised, the participants will also burn off the Christmas calories.

Alison Birkett, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the south east, said: "Fundraising has fallen and right now, future research is at risk – that’s why we’re urging as many people as possible to make ‘Walk All Over Cancer’ their New Year’s resolution.

"We all hope that 2021 has a more positive outlook. So why not give yourself a boost by committing to get more active and having an achievable goal to aim for - all in aid of a good cause.

“There’s plenty of time for supporters to start building up to the challenge in March and planning new ways to fit in some extra steps.

"Sticking to a resolution can be hard, especially through the cold, dark winter months, but registering now and making a public pledge to take part in the Spring, could help people steel their resolve. Plus, there’s the ultimate motivation of knowing every step you take will be helping to save lives."

Based on the average person’s strides, 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, so by the end of March participants will have clocked up more than 150 miles.

Alison added: “With over 52,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the south east, we’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.

“The truth is COVID-19 has slowed us down, but we will never stop striving to create better treatments for tomorrow. Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on our supporters. That’s why we need everyone to step up to Walk All Over Cancer.”

Before the outbreak, Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £25 million in the South East last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

To sign up visit the charity's website.