9:30am Tuesday 7th July 2009
By Ali Dent
TEAMS of cancer survivors and their relatives took to the tracks for 24 hours of fun and frolics in Yate on Saturday.
More than 200 people took part in the town’s annual Relay for Life and helped to raise an estimated £30,000 for Cancer Research UK.
One member of the 17 participating teams had to be on the track at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex at any one time between noon on Saturday and noon on Sunday.
But they slogged it out in style, donning pyjamas, wellington boots and pirate outfits during themed circuits of the track and danced to a DJ as they completed the gruelling relay.
Organiser Tina Nolan said: "It was absolutely fabulous. We were stunned by the amount of effort that the teams had made. We could not have wished for anything better."
North Yate Childminding Group, parents at St John’s Mead Primary School in Chipping Sodbury and local businesses entered teams into the relay and included children, cancer survivors and wheelchair users.
The event also saw family fun during the afternoon, live bands and a survivors’ lap.
Police from Chipping Sodbury turned up to complete a lap and put themselves forward for the stocks, firefighters were on hand with a fire engine and members of St John’s Ambulance were in force to show their support.
Founder of children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent Bob Woodward, from Frenchay, officially opened a candlelit ceremony when candle bags were lit in memory of lost loved ones and people currently battling the disease.
Said Mrs Nolan: "We had a lot of people just turn up for the ceremony and it meant a lot to the families and friends of people who have died from cancer.
"People seemed to find comfort and you realise just how much it means to them."
She added: "It was an amazing day, the best we have ever had. We will definitely being doing it again next year."
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