Touched by cancer in many different ways, the group of retired women — some in their 80s — did their weekly Wednesday walk yesterday, dressed in pink and purple to support Dunedin’s Relay Your Way fundraiser.
In the process, they managed to raise more than $1200 for the New Zealand Cancer Society.
Dunedin Ramblers member Eileen O’Regan said about 20 participated.
"We chose a nice flat bit down the peninsula because some of our ladies are a wee bit older and they don’t do hills.
"We’ve been promoting this within the group over the last three weeks.
"Seeing as there was no street appeal, we asked them to ask their family and friends for sponsorship."
The group was delighted with the financial response from members of the public along the way as well.
The ramblers are among many groups and individuals participating in the month-long event.
Relay Your Way was set up earlier this year when it became clear the annual Relay For Life fundraising event at Forsyth Barr Stadium could not be held during the Red traffic light setting for Covid.
As an alternative, the Cancer Society of New Zealand decided to hold the fun, more flexible Relay Your Way for all of March, which allows participants to fundraise for the society when they want, with whom they want, and where they want.
Cancer Society Dunedin events and community campaigns team leader Emma Anderson said fundraising was going steadily in Dunedin and had reached about $58,000 so far.
However, it was hoped at least $100,000 could be raised for the city.
To give people more time to participate and reach the target, it had been decided to keep the fundraising page open until June, she said.
