They’re walking for life

By Monique Ebrington
This year 35 teams of 10, or more people, will set up camp at Morrison Reserve in Mt Evelyn.
Team members will take turns to walk around the reserve, keeping the baton moving, in a walk that goes through the night.
Event organiser Lyndall Parsons began the Mt Evelyn Relay for Life three years ago after attending a similar event in Geelong, to honour her mother who she lost to cancer three and a half years ago.
Healesville had hosted three very successful Relays in the proceeding years.
Ms Parsons felt that there should be more events closer to home for people to show their own support for those with cancer and to reflect on lost loved ones.
The Yarra Ranges Relay for Life, alone, raised $53,000 for cancer research last year but the event was more about the people then the money, Ms Parsons said.
“The relay is really, though, more about supporting people with cancer than raising money.
“It’s about banding together as a group — it creates a real community strength,” Ms Parsons said.
Kids’ activities, a barbecue, live bands, canteen, treasure hunt and fund-raising activities will all be happening on Saturday afternoon.
The first lap of the relay starts at 4pm and honours cancer survivors, who can complete a lap of the track, wearing red sashes, with their carers wearing green sashes.
A candlelight tribute will begin at 8pm with tribute candle bags, with personal messages, lit and placed around the track to inspire relay participants throughout the night.
“The walk is tiring and it’s hard work, but you only do it for 18 hours. Those with cancer live with it 24 hours of the day.
“The walk helps you appreciate the strength of people living with cancer,” she said.
The Yarra Ranges Relay for Life will be on this weekend, 4pm 8 November to 10am 9 November at Morrison Reserve, Old Hereford Rd, Mt Evelyn.
For more information visit www.relayforlife.org.au