Anniversary Relay for Life already in sight
Still counting the dollars raised from Relay for Life 2019, the Manawatu¯ Centre of the Cancer Society is launching into plans for next year’s event, and the one after.
The Relay will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2020, and it will be its last at the former Teachers’ College site at Hokowhitu.
Fundraiser and event organiser Rebecca Bensemann said the total raised so far from Relay 2019 is $243,000, and that is expected to grow to more than $300,000.
And soon, planning will begin for next year’s doubly special Relay.
Bensemann said eight new teams have already signed up for the anniversary event.
It will have a theme based on looking back over two decades of Relays, and the advances that have been made in cancer treatment and care in that time.
The Manawatu¯ Relay was the first in New Zealand, and is the only one that has endured as a full 24-hour event every year. Participants have taken the format so much to heart there is no chance of changing.
Relay 2020 will be held at the Hokowhitu site where it began, with an agreement from new owners Wallace Developments that it can be accommodated despite plans advancing to subdivide the property for housing.
The search for a new venue has begun. The society is looking for a site where there is space for the tent city and the walking circuit, and for setting up the facilities like the stage and toilets, with plenty of nearby parking and easy access.
Winners among the 83 teams participating in 2019 were: Health Hub youth award for Sunsmart initiatives, Feilding Cadet Unit; most raised by a corporate team, More FM; most raised by community groups and schools, Awatapu College; most raised family and friends team, Team Wenman; most raised by a new team, Our Loved Ones; best-dressed tent site, Hillbrae Dairies; best team spirit, The Village People.