By BRIDGET SCOTT
IT WAS the biggest Relay for Life in Victoria last year and organisers hope their fundraising efforts this time will ensure the event lives on with this legacy.
The Casey Relay for Life is just around the corner and the committee has taken a different approach towards its money raising efforts this year.
As of 20 February, seven restaurants in Beaconsfield and Berwick, as well as one Melbourne based bar, will add $1 to the end of all their tables bills.
This extra money will then go to the Casey Relay for Life, and subsequently the Cancer Council.
Relay for Life volunteer Rod O’Grady said a fellow committee member saw another charity interstate take the same approach and thought it was a great idea.
Eighty One, Slippery Jacks, O.MY, Ambrosia, The Main, Four Figs, and the Belgium Beef Café – a popular Melbourne based restaurant – are all on board this money drive.
The money drive will run from 20 February until 27 February and Relay for Life volunteers are assuming a number of these restaurants visitors will most likely be involved with the fundraiser this March.
“We thought there was every chance that the people in these restaurants were likely to be involved in the Casey Relay for Life,” Mr O’Grady said.
Last year, the Casey Relay for Life raised more than $500,000.
Karen Ryken, who has been on the committee for nine years, said if the Casey Relay for Life doesn’t raise this much again it’s still a huge success.
“The committee have worked extremely hard, and if we don’t get that total again it won’t be from lack of trying, she said.
“This is a really good opportunity for people to come together, raise some money and just walk.
“The Casey Relay for Life will take place at Akoonah Park in Berwick on 14 and 15 March with about 4000 people expected to turn out.
“It was the largest relay for life in Victoria and it’s only getting bigger,” said Mr O’Grady.
“The community as a whole have embraced this.”
“You would be hard pressed to find someone in the community who hasn’t been touched by cancer in some way.”
