WHEN the Shoalhaven Relay for Life was first held eight years ago the organisers were thrilled when 500 people turned up at the Nowra Showground to walk or run laps, raise funds, have fun and, in many cases, to remember someone who had died as the result of cancer.
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In the eight years since that first event the occasion has seen a remarkable growth.
So much so that this weekend there will be 1350 participants representing 112 teams – all of whom will be raising funds for the Cancer Council of Australia
“Our aim this year is to raise $250,000, which would be a remarkable achievement if we do it – and the target is not beyond our teams,” the committee chairman, Greg Brennan said yesterday.
“The support this year already has been outstanding,” he said.
Mr Brennan said $238,000 was raised last year and the total amount achieved in its eight years will top the $1 million mark by the end of this year’s relay.
The mission of Relay for Life is to spread a healthy lifestyle message to the community and as well as the hundreds of people who will be filing around the oval, there will be several speakers and displays reinforcing the message.
A wide range of entertainment has been organised and will feature the brilliant Illawarra Performing Ensemble, which includes the 50 best young musicians and dancers from throughout the region.
The 24-hour relay starts at 10am Saturday and the first lap will be undertaken by cancer survivors, some of whom will be assisted by their carers.
Mr Brennan said one of the most moving moments featured the lighting of candles around the oval at dusk in memory of people who have died from cancer.
“We’ll have a piper playing in the grandstand. It is a special moment.”
Already this year Wendy Miller’s team Western Wildflowers has raised more than $15,000 and she is hoping to add substantially to that total by 10am on Sunday.
Wendy has raised a magnificent total of more than $85,000 for the charity in the seven years she has been involved.
“It’s a lot of fun and a lot of hard work, but we do it because we hope that we can provide funds that might help find a cure for cancer,” she said.
A new team this year is Treasure’s Chest and through a series of garage sales and other activities it has so far raised $10,000.
“The support that people give to this is amazing – they want to make a difference,” Mr Brennan said.
The opening ceremony at 9.15am will include a Welcome to Country by Aunty Ruth Simms, while Tarlia King will sing the national anthem and Shoalhaven Mayor Paul Green will declare the day open.
The first Relay for Life will be held in Ulladulla this weekend.
