By JESSE GRAHAM
THE Yarra Ranges Relay for Life may return to the Dandenong Ranges next year, in an effort to draw teams from the valley and the hills for the annual fund-raiser.
About 20 teams walked around the oval at Healesville’s Don Road Sporting Complex from 3pm on Saturday 7 November, through until 9am the next day.
Event chairperson Prue Northey said the 20 teams, with about 150 relayers, raised $22,500 at the event for the Cancer Council, including donations and sponsorships from residents and businesses.
Ms Northey noted a “smaller” attendance at the event than in previous years, with the event shifting to Kalorama in 2014 and back to Healesville for this year’s event.
“We’re kind of in the rebuild stage of it,” she said.
“It just means that fewer teams are coming and we have to find creative new promotional ways and creative ways to get the team numbers back up.
“Everyone there seemed to have a really, really good time – they were really into the cause, they were really enthusiastic about it.”
Community members, carers, cancer survivors and their loved ones all took part in the relay, while musicians including Eden Lee and Dylan Raath Music performed on stage.
The event has traditionally been a space where people can gather and remember loved ones, while also raising money towards cancer research through the Cancer Council.
Ms Northey said “98 per cent” of the people she spoke to at the event said they would come back the next year, and that next year’s event would likely be held in Kalorama.
“I really loved Kalorama, loved how intimate the event was,” she said.
“Kalorama just has something about it – it’s smaller, more intimate, the teams can socialise.”
In the weeks following the event, donations can still be made towards the total, and teams will consolidate and donate their raised funds.
Ms Northey said she hoped to raise more than $25,000 as the final sum.
Residents can donate by visiting relayforlife.org.au and searching for the Yarra Ranges event.
