READY, steady, go! University students in Bradford are setting the pace for more fundraising in aid of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal.

The Students' Union has already raised more than £6,800 for the appeal in the last academic year and now that the new term is soon to start, students are gearing themselves up for more money-making and will be raring to go at the starting line of October's Bradford City run.

The T&A is working with the university, Yorkshire Cancer Research and Sovereign Healthcare Charitable Trust to raise £1 million for the discovery and development of new cancer medicines at the university's Institute of Cancer Therapeutics.

By naming the Crocus Appeal as one of its RAG (Raise and Give) charities, University of Bradford Union of Students (UBU) has so far boosted the fund pot by a whopping £6,827.75.

The University's sports clubs and societies planned and ran their own fundraising efforts as taking part in UBU-led events such as bag-packing, sponsored abseiling and even a sponsored skydive.

UBU Sports and Societies Officer Sam Butterworth said: “Everyone at the Students' Union, from the Sports Club to the Societies, are thoroughly proud of raising just short of £7,000.

"Whether they climbed the Yorkshire Three Peaks with the Hockey Club, abseiled down Jury's Inn, baked countless cakes with the cheerleaders or bag-packed in Morrisons and Asda - each University of Bradford student that participated has made their mark and contributed to denting the amount needed to raise the appeal's £1 million."

READ MORE ON THE CROCUS CANCER APPEAL

And students will be helping towards our bid to have 200 people running in aid of the Crocus Cancer Appeal at this year's City Runs.

The appeal is the official charity partner for this year's event, which is organised by Bradford Council and in partnership with Bradford Athletics Network - 40 per cent of race entry fees will be donated to the fundraiser.

He added: "We remain committed to being a key partner and friend of the Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal and will be there in force at the starting line of the upcoming Bradford City run in October. We are thoroughly proud of raising just short of £7,000 but also proud to have been a part of a city wide movement for such a worthwhile cause."

Runners can log their intention to run for the appeal when registering for a City Runs race - either a one-mile family race, 5, 10k or half marathon.

Visit www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/cityruns to download an appeal sponsorship form and register to run.

To set-up online sponsorship, sign up to Yorkshire Cancer Research's JustGiving page and specify that you are raising funds for the Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal.