Hundreds of runners will participate in a popular village race to help fundraise for equipment that will revolutionise treatment of breast cancer.

More than 300 runners have already signed up for the 42nd Abbots Langley Tough 10 but that number is expected to at least double ahead of Sunday’s race.

The event, which includes a 1k parkrun for under-9s, a 3k for nine to 10-year-olds, and 5k and 10k races, typically raises £10,000 each year for good causes.

The main beneficiary of this year’s Tough 10 will be West Herts Hospitals Charity’s appeal to raise £200,000 to buy two Savi Scout surgical guidance systems, which use radar technology to precisely target and remove cancerous tissue.

To find out more about the appeal and make a donation, click here.

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The Watford Observer and its sister title, the Herts Advertiser, are backing the campaign to buy the equipment which will be based at the breast unit at St Albans City Hospital, where patients from across West Herts – including the WD postcodes – are treated for the disease.

“I’ve had several breast operations but luckily not cancer, two friends have recently had breast operations for cancer plus treatment and my sister’s had breast cancer,” said Alison Warner, the Tough 10 committee secretary.

“I think everybody can think of somebody with it so it’s a project very close to my heart and luckily I persuaded the committee this should be our main beneficiary this year.”

(Image: Supplied)

As well as the Savi Scout appeal, the Tough 10 will again be continuing its long-standing support of two good causes in Abbots Langley – Breakspeare School and The Monday Cub.

“We could even get today or tomorrow someone phone up and say they know somebody who is in desperate need for a piece of equipment,” Alison explained.

“Last year, someone contacted us because their son had cancer of the spine and needed a special chair and because we had a bit of money in the bank we were able to help him immediately. We never know if there’s going to be somebody who desperately needs some help very quickly.”

Anyone wishing to take part can register on the day at the Community Centre, High Street, Abbots Langley.

Watford FC legends Luther Blissett and Ian Bolton will be starting the races – beginning with the parkrun at 9.30am – and will also be on hand to hand out medals at the finish.