HORSHAM and District Relay For Life event finished on Saturday with just under $100,000 raised, but there’s still time for donations to come in.
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Relay for Life chairmanager Kingsley Dalgleish said participant numbers were slightly down on last year but there was still a good number of teams and a lot of unofficial relay walkers at the cancer fundraiser.
“We were really pleased with the way the whole event ran. Our numbers were down a little bit on last year,” he said.
“The spirit and the willingness of the walkers certainly wasn’t down and there was an enthusiastic group on the track at all times.
“There was plenty of encouragement for the official baton carrier.”
Mr Dalgleish said 34 teams and about 1000 people took turns on Friday and Saturday to walk, jog and run laps of Coughlin Park for 18 hours straight.
He said the committee was confident of exceeding $100,000 but the event might not raise as much as in previous years.
“At our closing ceremony it was announced that our total donations were a little over $98,500,” he said.
“People can still bank money for the next few weeks. People who collected from their stalls can still send money and there are a few pledged donations that haven’t yet come in.
“It will tip over the $100,000 mark. I’m not sure what total we’ll get to but we are pleased with it. To get to that point is a terrific effort.”
Mr Dalgleish said the Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids Horsham Car and Bike Show made almost $10,000 last weekend and Rachael’s Wish was still collecting money for the Wimmera Cancer Centre.
“Across the community, in terms of support for cancer-related events, it’s been absolutely fantastic,” he said.
Mr Dalgleish said the memorial candle-lighting ceremony was a highlight and Cassandra Velinos from Snap Fitness read the oath at the closing ceremony.
“We shut down the track for 15 minutes or so on Friday and three candles were lit: one for the past, present and future,” he said.
“I think our entertainment over the weekend was fantastic, the lineup showcased some of the region's talent. It’s great how the whole community gets behind supporting this program.”
Mr Dalgleish said Imam Imtiyazali Darji and Dr Mahabubur Mollah represented Horsham’s mosque at the relay.