THE boss of a Bradford law firm has promised a day off for any staff taking part in this month's City Runs in aid of the Telegraph & Argus Crocus Cancer Appeal.

Amin Ullah, Principal of Applebys, is so keen to support the work on cancer research charities that he has also pledged to double the amount his employees raise in sponsorship.

Eight members of staff have so far signed up to tackle the five kilometre city centre course on Sunday, October 26.

And as the team prepares to take on the challenge, lunch time runs and protein drinks have become the norm.

Medical and dental negligence specialist Carol Cook said: "I’d been thinking seriously about taking more exercise and this has provided just the incentive I needed and to raise money for cancer, a disease that my own family has been affected by, is fantastic."

Finance manager Khalid Khan added: "We are very excited about this run and trying to raise as much money as we can. Our boss, Amin, has promised to double the amount of donation which our staff members will raise."

Mr Ullah, who is also taking part, added: "This is such a fantastic cause that I’m delighted that so many of our staff have been able to enter the run.

"Many of us have friends or relatives who have been affected by cancer so to be able to play a small part in the fight against it is wonderful."

The Crocus Cancer Appeal is a joint fundraiser between the T&A, Yorkshire Cancer Research, The University of Bradford and Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust.

It aims to raise £1 million to purchase a high-tech mass spectrometer for experts at the university's Institute of Cancer Therapeutics.

It will be used to study proteins in cancer cells and will significantly speed up the department's work in this area. The findings can be used to help develop specific cancer treatments, which could eventually be rolled out to benefit patients in the future.

The Crocus Cancer Appeal is the official charity partner for this year's City Runs event which includes four runs taking in the city centre which will be closed to traffic for the annual event, organised by Bradford Council and Bradford Athletics Network.

Around 100 people a week are now putting their names down to join the event, with more than 100 running for the appeal.

We're aiming to get 200 people running for the fundraiser.

Visit www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/cityruns to put your name down.