Volunteer
Be a part of something special
Support participants at Race for Life, one of our biggest series of fundraising events.
Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Race for Life events. However you can help, for however long, you’ll be doing something amazing.
Just bring your energy, smiles and passion to the party. We’re all helping to fund life-saving cancer research. Together.
Choose between hundreds of events around the country where you can help set up the Race area, support our participants around the course or hand out medals at the finish line.
What to expect when volunteering
Ready for a fun-packed day full of warmth and laughter? We’ve got plenty of different things you could do – you'll get more details once you've signed up. The Event Manager will contact you around four weeks before the event to give you all the information you need, and to answer your questions.
Check out the kind of jobs you could be getting involved with below!
Event Day Volunteer
Get stuck in wherever you’re needed - from setting up and packing down the event, putting up marquees and flags, getting water to the finish line and clearing up after the event has finished.
Enquiries & Admin Volunteer
With the excitement of race day there’s bound to be questions! You can help by supporting our participants and spectators with their queries. This could include anything from simple directions to processing on-the-day entries, and replacing numbers, and of course being a friendly and welcoming face to our participants.
Course Marshal & Obstacle Marshal
Cheer on our participants as they take part and lift some spirits along the way. At our Pretty Muddy events, as an Obstacle Marshal you get the opportunity to guide participants as they climb, crawl and slide their way around the Obstacles – your support will spur them on!
Cycle Volunteer
The leader of the pack! You'll guide, support and motivate participants by cycling parts of the route. Please note that you'll need your own bike suitable to the terrain of the course.
Philippa
“After having my son, I just had to keep helping Cancer Research UK, so I chose to sign up as a volunteer and have absolutely loved every second since! Cheering everyone on as they cross the finish line makes my heart so happy. I sadly lost my mum to ovarian cancer in 2010 after a 10-year battle so I will forever do what I can to help.”
Phil & Karen
“During our 18 years volunteering at Cancer Research UK events, including Race for Life, we like to think we have done a little something to help prevent people suffering from cancer. We’ve also made so many friends and look forward to meeting them each year.”
Lucy
“Volunteering at events means that I can give something back and help to make sure that one day, no one will have to experience cancer. There are so many highlights at every event, from seeing the site to take place to supporting thousands of people in pink cross the finish line. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing we’ve done our bit to help.”
Share your story with your volunteer back sign
Download your volunteer back sign and share the story behind why you volunteer.
We really appreciate any time that you can spare. No matter how long you can spend with us, your helping hands will make all the difference to the event – and to fundraising for life-saving cancer research.
Please let the Event Manager know how long you can be on site. We’ll make sure the role works for you. We need volunteers to help set up and pack down so don’t worry if you can’t stay the whole day.
Of course you can! Before you get going, please do not register online. Instead, you’ll need to fill in a paper application form and have it signed by a parent or guardian. You can do this on the day, or request a form prior to the event by emailing volunteering@cancer.org.uk, letting us know your name, age and which event you want to volunteer at. We will then pass on your details to the Event Manager who will be in touch nearer the time with further details. If you are under 16, you will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian on the day.
- It’s an amazing experience – there's no atmosphere quite like our Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events.
- The warm feeling of knowing that you are making a difference to the life-saving work Cancer Research UK is doing right now.
- The experience of working with one of the UK’s leading charities on its biggest national event series.
- Meeting new and like-minded people in your local area and creating a positive impact in your community.
- Learning new skills and gaining new experiences to support you in your personal and career development.
The Event Manager will be in touch 4 weeks before the event with the final event details including timings, what to expect, what to bring and to answer any questions you might have. You’ll receive a briefing before the event and a full explanation of your role on the day. On the day all volunteer teams have a designated manager who will guide and support you in your role and answer any questions you may have.
