Community spirit high

Community spirit was alive and well at Horsham’s Coughlin Park on Friday night as people from across the Wimmera joined forces in the fight against cancer.

Horsham and District Relay For Life chair-manager Kingsley Dalgleish said this year’s event raised more than $100,000 for the Cancer Council.

“We’re really pleased with the result,” he said.

“That is on top of the $10,000 raised at the WACK car and bike show last week, plus the money being raised for Rachael’s Wish and the Wimmera Cancer Centre. From our point of view, as a community supporting cancerrelated events and services, that’s sensational.”

Members of 34 teams took turns to walk or run laps from 6pm on Friday to noon on Saturday to symbolise the ongoing fight against cancer.

“It was good to not only see people walking laps the whole time, but also to see people sitting up in their tents at 3am and 4am to encourage their teammates and cheer them on,” Mr Dalgleish said.

“From a community point of view, that was very good to see.”

The event also featured opening, candlelight and closing ceremonies, a survivors and carers lap, and entertainment.

Mr Dalgleish said a performance from Horsham Holy Trinity Lutheran School and Horsham Primary School singing and signing choirs at the opening ceremony was among this year’s highlights.

“We also had the Imam and Dr Mollah from Horsham Mosque participate in the candlelight ceremony,” he said.

“The candlelight ceremony is always very special and it was good to have them involved as well.”

Money raised through Relay for Life events across Australia goes towards Cancer Council’s research, prevention and support services.

Mr Dalgleish said Horsham District committee members would soon turn their attention to the 2018 relay.

“We’ve received good feedback, which we will take into account to hopefully help grow next year’s event,” he said.

“It would be wonderful if we didn’t need to gather next year to relay. But unfortunately, cancer will still be here – so, so will we.”