Dog owners across Oldham are being urged to step up to a fundraising challenge for cancer this spring.

Residents and their four-legged family members are being urged to walk 60 miles throughout April to raise money for Stand Up to Cancer, the joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

The Stand Up to Cancer dog walking challenge, supported by and launched at Crufts, is asking people and their canine counterparts to clock up the distance, or whatever represents a personal challenge, over the course of the month.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

Whether it's short strolls with a puppy or longer walks with a hound that likes to hike, anything goes, as what matters most is raising money for life-saving research.

To help fundraisers walk in style, those who sign up will receive a free dog bandana while a range of products, from dog beds and cushions to bobble hats, are available from the Stand Up To Cancer shop.

Stand Up To Cancer takes developments from the lab and accelerates them into new tests and treatments that could help save the lives of more people in Oldham and across the UK.

The campaign if helping to transform the landscape of cancer therapy.

Since its inception in 2012, it has raised more than £113m and funded 64 clinical trials and research projects involving more than 13,000 cancer patients.

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jemma Humphreys, said: “‘Walkies’ has always been a powerful word, but now we’re giving it new meaning.  

"With around 44,700 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the region, we’re asking the dog walking community to do something ‘paw-some’ this April that could help make the next research breakthrough happen. 

“There are lots of benefits to taking part in our dog walking challenge, not least the chance to improve your fitness while raising vital funds.

"We need as many people as possible to take part, because the progress we make in the fight against the disease relies on every person, every pound – and now every pet pooch.

"Now is the time to Stand Up To Cancer.” 

Jemma added: “From developing a molecule to super-charge the immune system to attack tumours, to re-programming viruses to seek and destroy cancer cells, when it comes to beating cancer our tireless scientists are like a dog with a bone.”  

Sign up for the ‘Walkies’ challenge now by visiting www.su2c.org.uk/walkies.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.