ORGANISERS of Yate Relay For Life - a volunteer run fundraising event for Cancer Research UK - are hoping to make this year’s event the biggest yet.

The event - a 24-hour team relay - is being held at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex on July 7 and 8, from 12pm, Saturday to 12pm on Sunday. 

Each team is made up of friends and family members with approximately eight to 15 people taking part.

During the weekend the team members set up camp for the overnight fundraiser, taking it turns to walk or run around the track for the whole 24 hours.

The event is for all abilities and ages and everyone from the community is welcome to take part.

Last year saw 35 teams and 500 participants raise a whopping £60,000. 
Thirty fundraising teams have already signed up for this year’s relay, and the organisers are hoping for at least 40 teams to make this year’s event the biggest yet. 

“We’ve challenged ourselves this year with a fundraising target at £70,000,” said volunteer event organiser Liam Craddock.

“This amount will bring our collective total for the 13 years Yate Relay has been running to half a million pounds.

“We believe, with the whole local community behind us, we can reach this goal.”

The fundraising teams have already been actively fundraising, and had an extremely successful World Cancer Day collection last month at various venues across Bristol. 

They sold Cancer Research unity bands in Tesco stores, as well as at Broadmead and at Temple Meads station, raising over £2,250. 

“With 24-hour entertainment from Eesh DJ Bristol and The Bristol Military Wives Choir, along with many local acts and sports displays, the weekend is a great fun experience,” said Liam. 

“There will also be cancer awareness stands and themed fancy dress laps, as well as the poignant Candle of Hope ceremony, which sees the venue fall silent in the late evening with a candle lit lap, followed by a time of reflection, with music and poems.”

The event is free to enter and open to all ages and abilities. To sign up email Liam@yaterelayforlife.org.uk or bev@yaterelayforlife.org.uk