Team Desperate Housewives managed to raise a massive $17,000 for the Cancer Council SA by taking part in the 2021 Relay For Life. PHOTO: Supplied
THEY laughed, cried, and came together to walk for all those who have, are or will go through cancer.
As an incredible show of support, more than 230 people, across 15 teams, have helped raise more than $72,000 for the Cancer Council SA by taking part in this year’s Gawler Relay For Life.
The event was held over the weekend at Princes Park and featured the special first lap honouring cancer survivors and their carers followed by an afternoon tea, the evening candlelight ceremony
and solidarity lap, and Sunday’s announcement of team awards.
Event lead and member of Gawler’s Cancer Council branch, Sue Jenkin, said it was a highly successful event, with the highlight being the first lap for survivors and carers.
“That’s why we do this event – it’s to honour and celebrate our cancer survivors and their carers,” she said.
“But the whole event was a highlight. We had great entertainment, all giving their time for free. We had lots of games and activities.
“To see the amount of youth teams was really gratifying as well, because we are doing it for the young people to become aware of the cancer fight and what we are raising funds for.”
She said this year’s candlelight ceremony was particularly poignant for the event committee, given it featured inaugural committee member and friend Lesley Beer, who died last year.
“Her daughter presented a little bit of her journey at the candlelight ceremony and I think talking to our committee members that was quite impactful because we knew her so well and she put so much into Relay for Life as well,” Ms Jenkin said.
“To watch the family, three daughters and husband, walk the survivor’s lap and then come back to the candlelight in the evening, and present a little bit about how they coped, was an inspiring story.”
Ms Jenkin said to raise more than $72,000 was a terrific feat, with the money enabling Cancer Council SA to continue to invest in life-saving research, prevention and support programs for all affected by cancer.
“To see people digging deep is just magnificent,” she said.
The highest fundraising team were The Desperate Housewives, which raised an amazing $17,000.
About 50 survivors and carers walked their lap of honour and enjoyed the VIP afternoon tea, while more than 100 visitors came for the opening and candlelight ceremonies.
