The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) held its annual Fruity Friday last week and hopes to raise £220,000 for its worthy cause.
The third Beat the Banana! fun run hit Hyde Park on May 25, when a six-foot man in a banana suit raced 5km chased by 55 runners, as the culmination of Cancer Prevention Week.
All the money raised will go towards research for cancer prevention and to raising awareness about the role of a healthy diet and exercise.
The awareness drive started early in the morning, with David Beckham and Diana Ross look-a-likes handing out 4,000 free punnets of British Victoria strawberries, courtesy of British Summer Fruits, at Oxford Circus tube station.
A series of activities held throughout the day in school and workplaces across the UK aimed to increase public awareness about the links between a healthy diet and a reduced risk of cancer.
Paul Fretwell at WCRF told FPJ: “Fruity Friday is about making people aware of the benefits of a healthy diet and physical exercise, and raising money for the World Cancer Research Fund.
“The day has been a great success, with strawberries handed out to commuters this morning, the Beat the Banana! race, and fundraising activities in schools and workplaces across the country.”
“We want to reinforce the 5 A DAY message as it could help save lives.”
Lucie Galice, WCRF general manager, added: “We are delighted to be putting on a Beat the Banana run in Hyde Park for the third time.
“As well as raising funds for valuable research and awareness-raising, Beat the Banana runs are a lot of fun for everyone who takes part. While there is the challenge of outrunning the banana, it is as much about people letting their hair down as it is about working up a sweat.
“It’s not every day you get the chance to race against someone in a banana suit.”
No comments yet