Great year for Relay for Life

By Russell Bennett
DOZENS of participants have walked, scampered and shuffled through the night at Mount Evelyn’s Relay for Life event.
Thirty two competing teams raised more than $70,000 for the Cancer Council in their fight to defeat the disease.
Relay for Life is a Cancer Council sanctioned event that supports people affected by cancer and raises money for treatment and education.
The relay, held at Morrison Reserve overnight from 23 to 24 October, was hosted for the fourth time in Mount Evelyn.
This year’s event eclipsed last year’s in both participation and money raised.
Mission delivery co-ordinator Abby Horsburgh said the increase on both counts was due to younger people becoming involved in the cause.
“This year we had a number of kids involved and even setting up their own teams, not just part of a family team.”
“It was an absolutely fantastic event with a real carnival atmosphere.”
The relay took place from 4pm on the 23rd to 10am on the 24th.
“It was just 18 hours of really solid walking,” Ms Horsburgh laughed.“It sounds tough but really anyone can do it.”
Participants were entertained at this year’s event by a barber-shop quartet, African drumming troupe, and an alternative rock band.
Even though the relay has finished for another year, fundraising efforts still continue.
“There’s still four weeks of fundraising to go so go online and donate what you can.”
Readers wishing to contribute to the Relay for Life cause can go to www.relayforlife.com.au and donate via the Yarra Ranges page.
For more information on the event, call 13 11 20.