Covid-19 won’t thwart Relay for Life

The Taranaki Cancer Society is determined to hold its annual Relay for Life fundraiser despite the Covid situation.

‘‘Cancer doesn’t stop and neither will we. One way or another it will still go on, keeping in mind government guidelines and the safety of people on the day,’’ fundraising and events coordinator Lisa Grigg said.

The event, planned for March 26 at the TET Stadium in Inglewood, is one of the society’s two main fundraisers and the Taranaki target for this year is to have 60 teams and raise $150,000.

Grigg said they were planning how they would run the event under the red light setting.

‘‘A lot of businesses do a team, as it is a really good teambuilding activity.’’

The money is used for the society’s work in Taranaki through support services, health promotion programmes and cancer research.

It was cancelled in 2020 by the Covid lockdown, but held in 2021.

However, the society’s other main fundraiser, Daffodil Day, was cancelled last year by the second lockdown, so it is important the relay goes ahead this time, Grigg said.

The relay typically opens with a flag-raising ceremony and the first lap of the stadium is walked by cancer survivors and their caregivers, led by a pipe band, and with a haka when they have completed their celebratory lap.

‘‘Then we start into it, with at least one person from each team on the track walking for the 12 hours throughout the day.’’

There is plenty of entertainment on offer, including an area with children’s entertainment, information stalls and bands playing through the day.

A garden of remembrance, with photos of people lost to cancer will be set up in a quiet corner.

In the evening, there is a candlelit remembrance ceremony, and a lap of silence.

The closing ceremony is all about fighting back, she said.

‘‘I really think it is a healing thing for a lot of people.’’

The RFL committee is all volunteers, and many others join them for event.

‘‘On average with relay on the day we will have 200 volunteers. We couldn’t do it without them.’’

For more information visit relayforlife.org.nz

‘‘Cancer doesn’t stop and neither will we.’’ Lisa Grigg Taranaki Cancer Society fundraising and events coordinator