The creator of cult comic book heroine Hit Girl has developed a new comic strip featuring the Kick Ass character to encourage entry into Cancer Research UK's upcoming Race for Life events.
Hit Girl was recently propelled to stardom when played by rising star Chloë Grace Moretz in the 2010 film Kick Ass, based on the comics by Scotsman Mark Millar. Millar, who also worked on the film, teamed up will illustrator Curtis Tiegs to create the special cartoon featuring Hit Girl taking part in Race for Life after seeing the adverts for the Cancer Research UK flagship event.
“I think it’s amazing that women of all ages and levels of fitness take part in Race for Life, united by their absolute determination to take on and beat cancer," he said.
"Together they are a force to be reckoned with. And that’s why Hit Girl is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them in a defiant gesture to cancer."
The move comes ahead of the launch of the Kick Ass sequel due for release in August this year and it's hoped the comic will not only encourage women and girls to participate in the remaining Race for Life events this year, but also to hand in their sponsorship money.
Emma Hyatt, head of Race for Life, said: “We are so excited that Mark Millar has teamed up with Cancer Research UK to help us in the fight against cancer. All women, regardless of their age, shape or fitness level, can take part in the 5k courses and we hope Hit Girl will inspire them to hit cancer where it hurts and sign up today.
“Every pound raised at Race for Life events will help us to beat all 200 types of cancer so it’s essential that those who have already taken part return their sponsorship money as soon as possible.”
The women-only Race for Life series will this year see 230 events take place up and down the country, with Cancer Research having also secured Tesco as its corporate partner for the events. It aims to raise £50m through the series this year. Last year Tesco boosted Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's Scotland's income by £7.5m during their corporate partnership.
Race for Life has come under some fire in the past for not allowing men to run. One mother successfully campaigned to increase the age of young boys who could run to 11 years old after her son wanted to show his support. Late last year an all-male run was launched by an individual in Hartlepool, raising over £20,000 for CRUK and Hartlepool Hospice.
