A pair of comedians are hoping to lift the spirits of charity runners when they perform at this year’s Race for Life in Old Deer Park.

Richmond-based Funny Women has teamed up with Race for Life, which raises money to help beat cancer, to showcase some of the UK’s finest female comics at a number of the events this summer.

The comedy company is encouraging more women to ‘“join the girls” by entering one of the events taking place across the county on June 25 and June 26, after recruitment for this year’s events proved significantly lower than anticipated.

Taking to the stage for the event in Richmond’s Old Deer Park will be Suzy Bennett and Sajeela Kershi, who are hoping to get participants in stitches through laughter rather than running.

Miss Bennett, whose brother’s fiancé Sulina died from Leukaemia 10 years ago, said: “The wonderful thing about Race for Life is that as well as raising money and awareness it's time for everyone to get together and reflect and share experiences."

She will be keeping a blog of her experience at Richmond on funnywomen.com/girl-talk.

To enter Tesco and Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life visit raceforlife.org or call 0871 6411111.