Saddle up for the big relay

The relay will be held this weekend at the Nowra Showground. 

An impressive $88,785.49 has been raised so far with more to come.

Teams like the Frangipani Fillies have been planning and working hard on their fundraising for months.

The Fillies held an event on Saturday night at the Bomaderry Bowling Club and raised an impressive $7500.

Team spokesperson Wendy Miller thanked all the people who helped them raise this tidy sum.

Mrs Miller said when it came to raising money for the Cancer Council people always dug deep, particularly if they had fun as well.

“Our team’s theme this year is horse racing and a great night on Saturday was had by all who attended,” she said.

The teams all have their reasons for raising money. One team is looking to support a seven-year-old boy.

Team Loving Lachlan is supporting Lachlan Thoroughgood, a little boy with a grade four malignant Glioblastoma Malform, which is a serious brain tumour that only has a 6 per cent survival rate.

Lachlan, in the months since being diagnosed last year, spent copious amounts of time in Sydney undergoing extensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

He was able to return to school at St Michael’s Nowra but recently his family was informed that a shadow was detected near the original tumour and they face an anxious period as they wait for more details.

Loving Lachlan team captain Gabrielle Heanes said they planned some fun events to support Lachlan at this year’s relay.

“Our aim is to bring some colour to his little superhero’s life,” she said.

“We will be running a fun family stall, selling glowing balls, having a Lego guessing competition, pick a balloon, lucky dip with wonderful prizes donated from extremely generous local businesses and much more.”

Meanwhile, the relay’s organising committing will keep with tradition and have several special ceremonies held over the weekend.

The opening ceremony will be on Saturday at 9.15am and at 6.45pm the emotional ceremony of hope will be held.

The closing ceremony at 10am will feature a tribute lap involving cancer survivors.

Committee chairperson Dr Kimberley McMahon-Coleman said they had once again received great support from the community and local businesses.

She loves how many young people have grown up with the relay and look forward to it every year.

“They just take it for granted they will be going to and supporting the relay,” she said.

Dr McMahon-Coleman urged everyone to attend the event.

She said there would be loads of food and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.