By KATH GANNAWAY
TEN years on from the first Yarra Ranges Relay for Life, hundreds of people came together on the weekend for the anniversary event at the Don Road Sporting Complex in Healesville where it all began.
Teams have come and gone over the years with the event being held in Mount Evelyn and Healesville, but the strength and spirit of the event and its capacity to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Cancer Council Victoria is as strong as ever.
The event started with the Survivors and Carers Walk on Saturday afternoon and included the moving Candlelight Ceremony at dusk.
The event’s chairwoman Prue Northey brought the 2014 committee and teams together again on Sunday morning for the closing ceremony.
She said the event had been one of mixed emotions where many had shared tears and laughter along with plenty of inspiration.
Ms Northey said the 2014 committee had made tremendous efforts for the 10th anniversary event to expand into local communities to encourage them to embrace what Relay for Life and the Cancer Council stand for.
“We have challenged our community and our committee to come together to show everyone that when we walk together we are bigger than cancer,” she said.
“Our committee set ambitious goals this year and with your support I am pleased to announce our current fundraising total is $65,200 and counting,” she said to a huge cheer.
