By Brendan Rees
The Casey Relay for Life is set to be one of the biggest yet, with a whopping $192,678.92 already raised for vital cancer research, prevention and support services.
So far, 66 teams and 1,673 participants have enlisted to partake for this weekend’s event at Akoonah Park in Berwick – marking a bumper year for the Cancer Council Australia.
Relay provides an opportunity for the Casey community to recognise and celebrate cancer survivors, patients, their carers and families.
Jan Gilchrist of the Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre in Cranbourne North, will honour her former colleague at the relay who lost her battle with lung cancer 10 years ago.
“I had worked with her for over 10 years before she came to work for Merinda Park in our Childcare area,” Ms Gilchrist said.
“We decided as staff that we needed to do something to honour her life. So we set up our Relay for Life team and the rest is history.”
Now in their 10th year, the team ‘Run Poss Run’ which includes staff, committee members, family and friends are excited to have reached their goal of raising $10,000.
“We never thought we would get to this total. It was just purely a dream to get there and our dream has come true,” Ms Gilchrist said.
“We have run two Bunnings barbecues and done many fundraising activities at the centre.
“Thanks to a generous donation by one team member of $1,300 and another donation by the Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre of $1000,” she said.
The event takes place from Friday 29 February to Saturday 1 March.
