Relay for Life

More than 350 people converged on the Whitsunday Sports Park last weekend to raise money for Cancer Council Queensland in a symbolic ‘Relay for Life’. A total of 20 teams walked for almost 18 hours, commencing at 3pm on Saturday afternoon and finishing shortly before 9am the next day.

 Master of Ceremonies John Powell described Saturday’s candle lighting ceremony (in remembrance of loved ones lost) as a “very moving event”.

 “There would have been at least two hundred candles around the track. It really brought the meaning of the moment home to everyone,” Mr Powell said.

 Cancer survivor and Relay for Life PR person Corrie Gardner said this was the first year she had actually participated in the event.

 “Walking all night might sound painful, but when you share it with friends it’s actually a really nice experience.

 “I just could not believe the atmosphere. It was all about friendship and warmth and supporting each other – which you don’t see enough of these days,” she said.

 Ms Gardner said through a combination of individual and team efforts almost $20,000 was raised for Cancer Council Queensland under the banner of the Relay for Life event.

 Regional fund raising co-ordinator for Cancer Council Queensland Rebecca Pascoe said this was amazing.

 “To have that many people involved in a regional area is always inspiring – there were so many young people there, and that’s one of the things we need to keep the message going,” Ms Pascoe said.