Third Relay for Life coming up

Some of the people behind the Derwent Valley Relay for Life.

THE third Derwent Valley Relay For Life will be held at Tynwald Park, New Norfolk, on February 25-26, raising funds for the fight against cancer, and there is still time to join in.

Relay for Life started in the Derwent Valley in 2015, when more than 250 participants attended over a scorching weekend at Boyer Oval. The event moved to Tynwald Park for the second relay in 2016.  “This is about our community getting behind the fight against cancer and we urge everybody, no matter what age, to help contribute to the fight” Derwent Valley Relay for Life Committee co-chairman Sandra Hetherington said.

Relay for Life state project manager Anthony Edwards said people participated in Relay For Life for many different reasons - to remember, to support and to contribute to the fight against cancer. "We encourage people from all across the entire Derwent Valley to show your support to this unique event,” Mr Anthony Edwards said.

"More than eight Tasmanians are diagnosed with cancer every day. Its an alarming statistic. Yet the unified effort to raise money for such an important cause bonds everyone from locals businesses to schools, family and friends to participate. All funds raised stay here in Tasmania to help local communities in the fight against cancer."

The Derwent Valley Relay has grown over the last three years and the local organising committee is keen to encourage even more people to contribute and participate by registering a Relay For Life team at www.relayforlife.org.au and then build a team of family and friends.

Relay for Life ambassador Kerry Hore
with the Magra Fire Brigade.

One of the Derwent Valley relay's newest teams, Babies on Board, helped to launch this year's event by hosting a barbecue at Tynwald Park as part of its fundraising efforts. Adding to the occasion, the New Norfolk Fire Brigade and friends battled it out against the Magra Fire Brigade in a tug of war. Derwent Valley Relay For Life ambassador and local Olympian Kerry Hore, helped by the Relay mascot Sid Seagul, declared Magra Fire Brigade to be the clear winner.

Twenty teams have so far entered this year's Derwent Valley Relay for Life, with a total of 144 participants. There is still time for new teams to register and for additional participants to join in. Visit the website for more details.

The Relay for Life tug-of-war between New Norfolk Fire Brigade on the left
and Magra Fire Brigade on the right.