GET ready to pull on your walking boots and help Cancer Research UK raise money for research into breast cancer.

That's the message as the charity launches the countdown to its Stride for Life sponsored walk at Greenwich Park.

Cancer Research UK event fundraiser for Greater London Emma Carlisle said: "We're urging individuals, couples and families to join together and step out at Greenwich Park to help Cancer Research UK support scientific research into the causes of breast cancer and better treatments for the future."

Signing up for the Greenwich Park sponsored walk is one of the ways you can support Cancer Research UK's All Join Together campaign.

The campaign aims to make all women aware of their risk of breast cancer and to raise funds to tackle the disease, which is now the most common cancer in the UK.

Each year 42,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and eight out of ten cases are diagnosed in women over 50.

The campaign also highlights the ways local people can make a real difference by raising money to support research.

The good news is that thanks to research, better treatments and earlier detection, the death rate for breast cancer has fallen by a fifth over the past decade.

Emma Carlisle added: "Stride for Life brings families and friends together. It gives them the opportunity to do something positive, have fun and at the same time raise money for research into the cause, prevention and cure of breast cancer."

The Greenwich Park walk is part of a family of sponsored walks taking place across the UK for people of all ages and abilities to help raise funds.

Distances vary from bracing 12km walks to 3km strolls suitable for the smallest toddler.

Stride for Life takes place on October 15 in Greenwich Park and is designed for the whole family.

There is a registration fee of £6 per adult and £3 for children under 16, or £10 and £5 on the day. The registration fee covers all the administration and organisational costs of the event, which means that all sponsorship money raised goes directly into research.

To take part, register online or call 8701 60 20 40.