Volunteer – Preston Race for Life and Pretty Muddy – 6 June 2026

About the role

In every corner of the UK, 400,000 participants are limbering up to join the fight against cancer. Last year, our Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events raised an incredible £26 million, which will help fund life-changing research. But our participants couldn’t cross the finish line without the passion and energy of an amazing team of volunteers like you. Whether you’re going solo, bringing a friend or are part of a larger group, your support powers our events and helps make progress possible.

What you’ll be doing

We have many volunteering roles on offer at our events. Let us know in the ‘Comments’ section of your application if you’d prefer a particular role, or our Events team can place you wherever you’re needed most on the day. We’ll provide a full briefing when you arrive, so you feel confident and excited to get stuck in. No matter what role you do, you’ll know you’re making a huge difference to those taking part in our amazing events.

Event Site Volunteer

Setting up and packing down the event. This may include helping to set up the course and marshal stations, putting up marquees and flags, getting water to the finish line and clearing up after the event has finished.

Course Marshal and Obstacle Marshal

You could be located at one of our Course Marshal points, cheering and encouraging our participants and helping them to navigate their way around the course. At our Pretty Muddy events, as an Obstacle Marshal you’ll get the opportunity to guide participants as they climb, crawl and slide their way around the obstacles and help them get as muddy as possible!

Enquiries Volunteer

You'll help answer queries from participants and spectators during the event. This could include anything from simple directions to processing on-the-day entries, and of course being a friendly and welcoming face to our participants.

Cycle Volunteer

You will guide, support and motivate participants by cycling parts of the route. This role requires that you bring your own bike, suitable to the terrain of the course.

Where and when

Avenham and Miller Park - Saturday 6th June 

⏰ Timings

• All day – 09:00 – 17:00
• Morning (Race for Life & Pretty Muddy Kids) – 09:00 – 13:30
• Afternoon (Pretty Muddy Adults) – 13:00 – 17:00

How we’ll look after you

• We want you to have the best experience at our events and ensure you get the most out of your volunteering experience. We will:
• Be in contact in the lead up to the day so you know what to expect, what to bring and to answer any questions you might have.
• Give you a full briefing on arrival.
• Support and guide you throughout the day.
• Provide meals and snacks as appropriate

Why volunteer for Cancer Research UK

What you’ll gain

• As well as beating cancer, volunteering with us has a host of benefits for you too, including:
• Gaining skills and experience in the events and charity sector.
• Meeting like-minded people and having fun!
• Making a difference in your community and helping drive progress for people affected by cancer.

Why we need you

• At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. And so far, we’ve made incredible progress – in the last 50 years, we’ve helped to double cancer survival in the UK. To make these advances possible, we rely on our community of brilliant volunteers, who give their time to help fund research that saves lives.
• By volunteering, you’re helping to bring us closer to a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

What skills do I need?

The kind of person we’re looking for

We’re on the lookout for individuals and groups who are:

• Engaging, friendly and keen to make sure everyone has a brilliant day.
• Flexible and willing to get stuck in and help.
• Team players - you’ll be joining a lovely bunch of other volunteers!
• But mainly those who can bring their energy, smiles and passion to help us beat cancer together!

Please note:

• Most Event Volunteers need to be 16 years or over, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• We are only able to accept volunteers of 18 years of age for the following roles: Course Marshal, Cycle Marshal
• You must be living in the UK in order to volunteer at one of our events.
• We ask all applicants to disclose to us, in confidence, any unspent criminal convictions.

When do I need to be available?

Details

There are opportunities to volunteer for the whole day, just the morning or the afternoon so any time anyone can spare would be greatly appreciated. Any volunteers happy to stay all day will be provided with a food token and anyone who has more limited availability will have access our volunteer refreshment area with tea/coffee etc. To give you a rough idea of timings the shifts are explained below: All day – 09:00 – 17:00 Morning (Race for Life & Pretty Muddy Kids) – 09:00 – 13:30 Afternoon (Pretty Muddy Adults) – 13:00 – 17:00

Where does this role take place?