Hope and tears at Relay for Life

Craig Perkins, husband of the late Louise Perkins, was one of the speakers during the event and he had a simple, but strong message.

“We have to beat this mongrel of a disease,” Mr Perkins said.

Attended by over 1000 people, the weekend’s relay concluded yesterday and was dedicated to Louise Perkins and Jo Hillyard, who both lost their lives to cancer in the past 12 months.

The Louise Perkins Memorial trophy was awarded to the team that raised the most funds and Clowns with Flowers team captain Wendy Miller accepted the award on behalf of her team.

Both Mr Perkins and Mrs Miller cried as they embraced, in what was a scene of sheer emotion that also touched many others.

The Clowns have already raised $9500 and this figure could double.

Tears might have been spilt during the relay, but a sense of hope that one day the world will be cancer free was also in the atmosphere.

Money is needed to beat cancer and the conservative figure raised at the relay stands at $107,000.

The relay was also a show of community spirit and relay committee chairman Phil Smith was obviously proud of what the Shoalhaven people had achieved.

“We attended the relay because this awful disease has affected us or those we love in a personal and life changing way,” Mr Smith said.

“We also attended because as a community we care and we are determined to do something positive to beat cancer and for that I thank all those who attended the relay.”

Mr Smith had the honour of dedicating the relay to Jo and Louise.

“Louise and Jo were dedicated, faithful and inspirational ladies,” Mr Smith said.

“They fought the fight, but not just their fight - they had everyone in mind.

“Louise and Jo were two selfless ladies who never gave up, never complained and never stopped helping other or loving those around them.”

• More relay stories and photos will appear in Wednesday’s South Coast Register.