A SIMPLE cut of a purple ribbon marked the start of the Horsham and District Relay For Life for 2018 on Friday night.
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Cancer survivors and carers had the honour of completing the first lap of Horsham’s Coughlin Park.
This year’s Relay For Life participants stood on the sidelines watching and cheering for the region’s survivors and carers passing by.
Once the first lap was complete each team proudly followed suit. The 18-hour journey began with excitement and enthusiasm drifting through the park.
Support from thirty-three teams helped the Horsham and District Relay For Life event become a massive success this year.
Relay chairmanager Kingsley Dalgleish said the committee and each team looked forward to another successful year. He said Relay For Life was a great event that has brought the community together for 16 years.
“People are saying that it is great to back for another year and it is fantastic to see many new teams registered,” he said.
Mr Dalgleish said each team had set up a stall, which became “a hive of activity” throughout the event.
The night started with the team’s raising a collected total of $80,000. However, Mr Dalgleish said that figure will increase as the night continues.
“Everyone is here for one reason and that is to show their support for our cancer survivors and loved ones. We all have a common cause to raise money,” he said.
Relay entertainment coordinator Rick Ballinger said the momentum of the event builds each year, which allows the relay to continually flourish.
He said it was gratifying and humbling to see musicians returning each year and “new blood” putting their hands up.
Cancer has affected everyone, especially in this area, and we want to make sure that our future generations do not have to think about cancer
- Laura Bald
“The musicians believe that the best way they can give back to their community is donate their own skills,” he said.
“They are very charitable and have proven they are supportive of the community by always coming back to perform.”
Horsham’s Laura Bald established the Mobile Travel Agent team at this year’s Relay For Life. Her motivation to partake in the event was to show support for the Wimmera community.
“Cancer has affected everyone, especially in this area, and we want to make sure that our future generations do not have to think about cancer,” she said.
We wish everyone in the community was involved, but it’s great to see schools, businesses and the general community getting behind the relay this year and we are really proud
- Laura Bald
Mrs Bald said the turnout was overwhelming.
“We wish everyone in the community was involved, but it’s great to see schools, businesses and the general community getting behind the relay this year and we are really proud,” she said.
Warracknabeal’s Sam Schulz participated in the Rotaract Club of Warracknabeal team.
She said Relay For Life was a chance to help the wider community.
“We are a community-based club and we did not have much on in March so we thought we would do some fundraising and help out a broader community.