Senior firefighter Kelly Humphries completes his laps alongside Chris Easton while Mikail Easton looks relaxed as he comes along for the ride. Photo / Taranga Kent
Senior firefighter Kelly Humphries completes his laps alongside Chris Easton while Mikail Easton looks relaxed as he comes along for the ride. Photo / Taranga Kent
A total of 47 teams took part in last weekend’s Relay for Life event, raising $78,392 to date for the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society.
Hundreds of people walked amid rain, wind and sunshine, clocking up thousands of laps around the track.
“Despite the weather, Relay for Life 2026was a great success this past weekend,” said Shay Podjursky, event co-ordinator for the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society.
“The gloomy start to the weekend was particularly symbolic of some cancer journeys, with our teams and visitors embracing the metaphor,
“As the rain falls this weekend, let it remind us why we are here. It reminds us that storms exist. But it also reminds us that people are stronger than storms. Together, this community is choosing to keep going. To keep raising funds. To keep fighting for a future where fewer families have to walk this road.”
Members from Gisborne Boys' High team setting the pace in the Relay for Life at Showgrounds Park last weekend. Photo / Taranga Kent
Workplace, friend, whānau, sports and school groups hit the track for the full 24 hours, collectively walking over 15,500 laps with the tracked batons.
“However, with multiple people from a team on the track at any given time, that total laps walked will look more like 45,000 completed across the 24 hours in solidarity, remembrance and dedication to the fight.”
Daryl Gowers didn’t quite reach his self-imposed goal of 250 laps, succumbing to blisters mid-morning on Sunday after completing a solid 151 laps.
Tairāwhiti Fire was awarded a “Spirit of Relay” award for demonstrating exceptional enthusiasm and dedication to the cause.
“They had a large contingent on the track across the weekend – many in full kit, including respiratory gear, smashing out lap after lap, whipping the trucks out to attend to the community who needed them, before returning to continue what they had started.’
One of the Banana Boyz, Alex Kelly, is all smiles as he ticks off another lap at the Gisborne Relay for Life 2026. Photo / Taranga Kent
Podjursky said highlights from this year’s event were the opening lap, walked by those who have or have had cancer and the “wonderful” carers who support them, and the always-emotional candle lighting ceremony.
“Standing in front, watching those lights flick on, one by one, as people remembered their loved ones who have passed was a deeply moving moment to witness,” she said.
“A huge thank you must go to our local businesses who support us through sponsorship and donations for this event. Large events like this can’t happen without a wonderful group of people backing it.
“It is greatly appreciated and means we can direct every dollar raised by our teams back into our support services, cancer research, education and cancer prevention programmes for our local community.”
As of Tuesday morning, they had reached 60% of their total fundraising target of $135,000.
The Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society website and local centre reception will continue to accept donations for a few more weeks.
“We encourage the community to share the load and donate today to help us support the one in three who will have a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
“Every dollar makes a difference, and we are so grateful to each and every person who stands with us as we raise the vital funds and awareness across our district.”
