Relay for Life participants trudge through a wet Saturday
evening at the Caledonian Ground. Photo by Craig Baxter.
It was a brave start, but continual rain eventually
forced organisers of the Cancer Society Otago's Relay for Life
to cancel the 24-hour event at midnight on Saturday night.
Committee chairwoman Barbara Henderson said it had not been
an easy decision, as there had been so much enthusiasm among
participants despite the rain, and a lot of work had gone
into organising the fundraising event.
However, forecasts were predicting the miserable weather to
get worse, and concerns about people's safety and health
prompted the decision, she said.
Ms Henderson said she had been amazed when all 134 teams
entered in the relay turned up ready to have fun in the
miserable conditions at midday on Saturday.
The rain certainly did not appear to dampen spirits.
A huge cheer went up from the army of colourful umbrellas and
gumboots as cancer survivors, wearing purple sashes and
holding purple balloons, led the first lap of the relay at
noon on Saturday.
"The support has been stunning," said Ms Henderson.
"I'm standing upstairs and there would be 500 people walking
around the track, and it's pouring down. They are all here
doing what they came to do.
"There is a group of ladies here called the Red Revellers who
are over 50, with a couple in their 90s, and they all turned
up.
"It is just the most amazing community response. I'm a wee
bit lost for words right now."
The relay started on the Caledonian Park athletics track,
where it continued until about 8pm.
As there was no lighting on the athletics track, it was then
moved to the circuit on Logan Park.
Top entertainment had been organised until midnight, and plan
was to party hard until then and finish on a high, she said.
The candlelight service still went ahead inside a giant
marquee at 9pm, and everybody was invited for breakfast on
Sunday morning before they all packed up.
As of Sunday morning, $245,000 had been raised, with more to
be counted, and the society would be grateful for whatever
else they got, she said.
Otago Southland Cancer Society chief executive Wendy
Houliston said in the light of economic uncertainty she was
delighted with the provisional total.
"We are delighted. It wasn't easy out there in your gumboots
holding an umbrella when the rain is very persistent."
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