THE Cancer Research Shop in Helensburgh is getting ready to launch their Stand Up To Cancer campaign and try to surpass last years total.

The Helensburgh store raised £10,257.10 in the two month campaign last year, coming 4th in the UK of over 600 stores thanks to the generosity of Helensburgh and the surrounding areas.

This years fundraising will get underway with The Grannies Challenge on Sunday, September 3. The sponsored kids bike ride, organised by volunteer Donna Hicks, who's sons started the challenge in memory of their grans, has raised over £8,000 over the last three campaigns.

The Commodore Hotel will play host to the second event of the campaign, a Take That tribute night.

The evening will include a fashion show by Laura Kate, a performance from Take This, DJ Stuart Maule, Urbanik's School of Dance, a raffle and a buffet donated by local businesses.

The Take This ladies night will run on Saturday, September 9 from 7pm until midnight. Tickets are priced at £10 and can be purchased from the Cancer Research UK shop. Tickets for the event sold out in four day but the Commodore Hotel kindly added another two tables of 10 to help meet demand.

The Helensburgh Rugby Club is the venue for the SU2C Festival on Sunday, September 24 which will feature entertainment, a display from The Drakes of Hazard Sheepdogs and more.

A Japanese Tea Ceremony is lined up to take place in the Mackintosh Club on Thursday, October 5. Tickets are £15 and will be available from the Mackintosh Club website nearer the time.

Also on the calendar of events so far is a music gig at The Logie Baird featuring Hot Rats and Loudmouth. The event on Friday, October 27 will include a raffle and a buffet and is free to attend.

The afternoon of Saturday, October 28 will see the Cancer Research Shop host a spooktacular event before a free Halloween club night at The Logie Baird in which owners Cara and Milan Nikolic are donating their DJ service, venue and a buffet.

Assistant manager, Alison Sturgeon, said: "We also have several bag packs, can collections and bake sales organised .

"This year is our Game Changer, we have raised the bar so much over our last 3 campaigns that we are pulling out all the stops to make this year our best ever. Please STAND UP TO CANCER with us ?

"If you would like to buy a ticket, donate a raffle prize, take part in our campaign or simply need more information, please pop into our shop or call 01436 674547 and ask for Alison or Mark. We are open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and Sundays from 10.45am to 3.45pm.