Next week’s Gawler Relay for Life event has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PHOTO: Supplied
GAWLER’S Relay for Life will not be going ahead next week, with Cancer Council SA making the difficult decision to cancel the annual event until 2021.
A statement on behalf of the Cancer Council SA and the Gawler Relay for Life Committee said the decision was made in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to current government advice surrounding the holding of non-essential events.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our volunteers, staff and supporters,” it read.
“Given the high risk to public health currently posed by COVID-19 and keeping in mind that many who attend our events are in a higher risk group, we know the decision to cancel the event is in the best interests of our community.
“Although the event will not go ahead, the money already raised will still make an incredible difference to the lives of all South Australians impacted by cancer.
“We are incredibly grateful to the community for their fundraising and planning efforts to date and want to thank them for their support.”
The Gawler Relay for Life was set to take place in Princes Park, over the weekend of March 28 and 29, with a total of 25 teams and 300 individual participants registered.
Even more people were going to attend to take part in the carers and survivors walk, to perform, or as supporters or spectators.
On behalf of the Gawler Relay for Life Committee Sue Jenkins said she wanted to thank all involved in this year’s event, with the committee looking forward hosting the 2021 relay.
“The Gawler Relay for Life Committee is overwhelmingly saddened by the decision to postpone Gawler Relay for Life 2020, but we all believe that this is the right outcome and that everyone’s health and safety is the priority,” she said.
“Relay is an event we all look forward to each year and has incredible support from Gawler and the surrounding communities.
“We will be contacting our survivors, carers, sponsors, teams and volunteers to formally advise them of how we will move forward but through your paper we wish to thank them all for their continued support.”
Since the first local event in 2009 the Gawler community has raised $850,000 to support South Australians impacted by cancer.
Participants are also able to contact Cancer Council SA on 1300 65 65 85 with
questions about the event.
