THE 2018 Lancefield/Macedon Ranges Relay For Life event is returning next March and local residents are invited to join together and help hope live in the community.
The Relay For Life is an inspirational and empowering community led experience, where locals form teams and walk overnight to support those with cancer, while raising money for Cancer Council Victoria’s cancer research, prevention and support programs. Cancer Council Community Liaison Nick Wald and Lancefield/Macedon Ranges Relay For Life committee secretary Kathy Lakey said the event provides community members with the opportunity to recognise and celebrate local cancer survivors, patients and carers.
“The Lancefield/Macedon Relay For Life is a really great community and volunteer run event,” Mr Wald said.
“The community and volunteers do all the hard work. There are all sorts of fundraising year round and the Relay For Life is a celebration of their efforts.
“It’s a fun event in a country atmosphere… and it gives a sense of community.”
“The Relay For Life is such a lovely community spirited way to get involved. There’s a fantastic feeling when you’re there,” Ms Lakey said.
“It’s such a fantastic event to be involved in any capacity and even if you don’t have a team you can be paired up with a lovely caring team. There’s a lot of fun and also a time for reflection. It’s a wonderful feeling to be involved in it.”
Reminding residents that they are united in their journey, the Relay For Life includes touching ceremonies such as the opening lap dedicated to cancer survivors and their carers. While the moving candle ceremony and balloon release also offers participants the chance to honour and remember loved ones lost to cancer.
Mr Wald and Ms Lakey thanked returning sponsors the Lancefield and Romsey Community Branches of Bendigo Bank and Romsey SUPA IGA for their continued support.
“The support from the Bendigo Bank is incredible, they are kind and generous enough to give us funding,” Mr Wald added.
The Community Bank has had a long association with Relay For Life. Sixteen years ago, the bank staff teamed up with the Romsey Bakery to enter a team named ‘The Dough Makers’.
Senior Branch Manager, Michael O’Gorman said the 2018 team ‘The Community Bankers’ were already working behind the scenes on fundraising.
“Very few people have not been touched at some time during their lives by cancer, and Relay For Life is a worthwhile cause for helping raise funds to improve diagnosis and treatment and hopefully find a cure,” he continued.
The Relay for Life will be held at Lancefield Park on the weekend of Saturday, March 3 to Sunday, March 4.
Community members of all ages are invited to participate; the only requirement is that a team must be represented on the field at all times.
Now is the time to register for the 2018 Lancefield/Macedon Ranges Relay For Life with early bird registrations costing only $20. Registration costs will increase from January 15.
If you’re interested in registering a team, joining a team or volunteering please
email lancefieldrfl@cancervic.org.au,call 1300 656 585 or visit the Lancefield/Macedon Ranges Relay For Life Facebook page.