COMMUNITY-SPIRITED staff at a supermarket have signed up en masse to take part in this year’s Colchester Race for Life.

A total of 29 workers at Asda in Tiptree will support Cancer Research UK by running, jogging or walking a five-kilometre course around Castle Park on Sunday, July 15.

The close-knit group, many of whom worked together at the Co-operative supermarket before the store was taken over by Asda, regularly take part in fundraising activities and needed little persuasion to take part in the race.

Janet Jones, 44, said: “It started off as a few girls doing it. We put a sign up on the board saying if you want to do it, put your name down, and it snowballed from there.

“We’ve got a really good community spirit here and we’re all really good friends.

“Now most of us are doing it, and even those of us who can’t participate are donating.

“We have all either known someone or lost someone somewhere along the line, so we all feel it’s a really worthwhile cause. We’re just hoping to raise as much as we can.”

Gill Burgess, who is organising this year’s races, said the 11am race was nearly fully booked, but there were still plenty of spaces left for the 2pm run.

She said: “I’m really excited about Race for Life in Colchester this year.

“We always have tremendous support from the ladies in Colchester for which we’re very thankful.”

Fundraising ideas are available at www.raceforlife.org while on the day there will be a donation station where people can offer unwanted CDs, DVDs or books.

The entry fee is £14.99 for adults and £10 for girls under 16. To sign up by July 12, visit raceforlife.org or call 08716 411111.