Selwyn Relay For Life – a Family Affair

This year’s Selwyn Relay For Life event committee is
very much a family affair, with no less than five family
members involved in the event and a sixth family member
handing over the mantle of chair to this year’s new
chairperson: George Inwood.

Inwood, a teacher at
Rolleston College, has stepped into the role of committee
chair this year, taking over the reins from his
father-in-law Duncan Sole who chaired the event committee
for the previous decade. Inwood is committed to continuing
the family legacy of serving the Selwyn community through
Relay For Life and is looking forward to delivering another
successful event.

Although this is his first year as
chair, Inwood is a previous committee member so has a good
understand of the undertakings and challenges involved. His
father, Paul, is also on the committee this year providing
additional family support from the other side of the meeting
table.

Inwood recognises that much of the success of
the Selwyn Relay to date is due to the strong foundations
that have been laid in previous years by Sole; “Thanks to
the hard work Duncan has put in over the years, the event is
in really good shape and it’s easier to pick up the reins
and just continue the good work.”

Relay For Life has
been running in Selwyn since 2011 and is by all accounts an
inspiring event to be part of. Inwood describes the feeling
of seeing the event come together in previous years, “You
have to be there to understand how powerful, how fulfilling
it is to be part of something like this. When you see those
affected by cancer do their celebration lap and the
candle-light remembrance for those who have passed, it
reminds you of what it’s all about, the purpose of why
we’re here.”

The committee is hoping to raise
around $50,000. Inwood highlights that while the fundraising
is important, they are also focused on simply providing an
opportunity for the Selwyn community to come together,
understand more about more about what it means to be on a
cancer journey and to do something positive for their
neighbours in need.

In addition to Inwood’s father
sitting on the event committee, his mother-in-law, Penelope,
and wife Scarlett will bring their expertise as fitness
instructors to lead the pre-event warm up routine, while his
mother Tracey will be running an on-site coffee cart to keep
participants and supporters fuelled for the 12-hour
event.

As a teacher, Inwood is particularly driven to
set a positive example for his students, emphasising the
importance of selflessness and giving back to the community.
His dedication to the Relay goes beyond familial ties as he
sees this role as an opportunity to instil values of
compassion and community involvement in the younger
generation.

“I’d like the students, and anyone
involved really, to understand the impact they can make on
the lives of others when they support a cause this way.
It’s a chance for our students to show leadership and
understand how rewarding it is to be part of something
bigger. Relay For Life is not just a fundraiser, it’s a
symbol of unity and hope.”

Under Inwood’s
leadership the committee is gearing up for an exciting and
high energy day with a wide range of entertainment,
activities, and refreshments available to keep participants
and supporters powered through the 12-hour period.

The
Selwyn Relay For Life will take place at Brookside park,
Lowes Road Rolleston, from 10am to 10pm Saturday 16th March
2024. For more information or to register visit
https://relayforlife.org.nz/o/selwyn-relay

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