Relay Returns After Covid Hiatus

Relay For Life will make a welcome return to Claudelands
on Saturday 11 March 2023 after taking a break earlier this
year due to covid restrictions.

Cancer Society
fundraising event coordinator Kate Mason says the charity
was “hugely disappointed” when Relay For Life 2022 was
unable to go ahead as planned.

“Relay For Life is
our second largest fundraiser after Daffodil Day. It’s
crucial for us because the funds raised allow us to provide
practical support to people with cancer like transport,
counselling and frozen meals to help ease the burden during
an especially difficult time for families.

“We were
really fortunate to have some dedicated supporters who chose
to Relay on their local streets and parks instead. But the
magic of Relay is the sense of community spirit and
camaraderie that happens when people come together for a
common cause.”

Relay For life is an inspirational
and fun team event to celebrate cancer survivors, remember
loved ones lost to cancer and raise funds for the Cancer
Society.

Team members take turns moving a relay baton
around the track over 12 hours while enjoying a festival
atmosphere of music and fun activities.

Mason says
Relay For Life is a fixture on many participants’
calendars with people returning year on year to be part of
the feel-good event.

It will be the fourth time the
event is held at Claudelands. But with the historic
Grandstand under repairs, Mason is excited by the
possibilities of using other spaces at the venue which will
give the event a whole new look and feel.

What won’t
change are the moving opening ceremony, which is dedicated
to people who have experienced cancer, and the evening
candlelight ceremony to remember loved
ones.

“There’s nothing quite like circling the
track as the sun goes down and seeing all the beautiful
decorated candle bags in memory of loved ones lighting the
way – it’s a really special moment.”

Relay For
Life will run on Saturday 11 March at Claudelands in
Hamilton. Register a team today at www.relayforlife.org.nz

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