Registration for the annual Race4Business organised by the Chelmsford office of regional law firm Birketts is now open.

This year’s race, taking place on Thursday, June 23, will raise money for The J’s Hospice, this year’s chosen charity at Birketts, which also has offices in Ipswich, Norwich and Cambridge.

Rafael Ruiz, head of Birketts’ corporate and commercial team in Chelmsford, said: “The J’s provides hospice and respite care services to young adults aged 16-40 who are living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

“Having previously come together back in 2010 I’m delighted that the hospice will once again be benefitting from the proceeds raised through the race.

“We know there is demand for The J’s services which can’t be met from current resources, so a target of £23,000 has been set, which could fund a nurse for a whole year and enable the Hospice to help more young people and their families.”

He added: “Birketts’ Race4Business was first run in 1998 and has gone on to become a major event in the Chelmsford calendar for local businesses, raising approximately £500,000 for good causes along the way.

“Each and every entrant in the race will contribute towards helping us achieve our target. We very much encourage businesses throughout the region to enter and, in addition to prizes for the fastest individual runners and teams, we will be offering a prize to the business that enters the most runners, and whose team raises the most funds for The J’s.

“As well as a great opportunity for businesses to raise funds for good causes, the race is a fun way for staff members to join together, and to meet other like-minded local businesses.”

Laura Birden, corporate fundraiser at The J’s Hospice, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen by Birketts as this year’s charity partner for the Birketts Race4Business.

“The J’s provide hospice and respite care services for around 100 young adults and their families throughout Essex in the patients’ own homes but we have identified that there are over 300 more families in Essex that need our support.

“The monies raised at this prestigious corporate event could fund a J’s nurse for a whole year and allow us to support more families throughout the county.”

Birketts’ Race4Business, which attracts more than 1,000 participants each year, is open to individuals and teams from the Essex business community and beyond, with each runner being given an individual timing chip to ensure accurate results.

The 3.5 mile course of the race starts in Chelmsford town centre and finishes at Birketts’ offices in New London Road, is mainly flat, and suitable for runners of all abilities.

To register, visit www.birketts.co.uk .