THOUSANDS of women across the region are preparing to join forces in the fight against cancer.

Hull's Race For Life event has been officially launched and will take place at Costello Stadium in Anlaby Park Road North, west Hull, on Sunday, July 17.

pink ladies: From left, Natalie Max, Olivia Molitor, Zoe Hood, Kerry Key, Jennifer Hall and Emily Thompson launch Hull's Race For Life. Picture: Jack Harland

Last year, 4,500 women took part in the 5K event and helped raise £195,224 for the charity.

This year, Cancer Research UK hopes 6,000 women will enter and help to hit a fundraising target of £299,000.

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Olivia Molitor, Race For Life event manager for Hull, said: "Race For Life at Costello Stadium is a unique celebration of sisterhood and pride.

"The atmosphere is amazing, with local women from all walks of life coming together to make a positive difference to people affected by cancer.

"They motivate and inspire each other to complete the course with many simply walking round, chatting and having fun.

"In 2011, we hope more women than ever before will take part.

"We need our Race For Life regulars, as well as women who took part years ago, to join together with many new faces to help save more lives."

Hull women were also given the chance to star in a unique charity advert as part of the launch of the event in the city.

Their smiles were captured on camera by the Cancer Research UK team and the images will be unveiled on a special poster in Hull city centre next month.

It aims to inspire women to sign up and take part in Race For Life in Hull.

Melanie Hudson, 30 of Anlaby, is among the women who will feature on the poster and take part in the event in July.

She had her photograph taken while shopping in St Stephen's in Ferensway, city centre.

Melanie said: "I'm very excited.

"Everybody will see the poster and it reminds people of what a great day it is, to take part and have some fun.

"I love Race For Life. The day is fantastic and the atmosphere is amazing.

"We can raise some money for a really great cause and make a bit of a difference to people's lives."

Cancer Research UK said about three people are diagnosed with cancer in the Yorkshire and Humber region every hour.

Kerry Key, 34, of Preston, will be among the women who take part in Race For Life in Hull this year.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and underwent treatment and surgery, which was successful.

However, the cancer returned two years later and she underwent a mastectomy and had her ovaries removed, which was also successful.

The cancer returned for a third time in August last year and she has now been told it is incurable.

Kerry, a mother-of-two, who is currently undergoing more chemotherapy treatment, said: "All my family and my best friend are hoping to join me in to raise awareness."

To take part in Race For Life in Hull, visit www.race forlife.org or call 0871 6411111.