Over 700 participants take part in udderly amazing Relay for Life

Muriwai Magic team members Ben McAneney, Hailey Earnshaw and Mikaylah Tamati show off some slick mooves in front of the Relay For Life stand. By all accounts it was a cowabunga of a day. Pictures by Liam Clayton

A jubilant Cancer Society wants to “heartfully” thank the community, volunteers, sponsors and more than 700 participants for a successful 2024 Gisborne Relay for Life.

Gisborne-East Coast Cancer Society fundraising and events coordinator Shay Podjursky was still working hard on Sunday morning as she planned for the final lap and midday closing ceremony of the 24-hour fundraising event held at Showgrounds Park .

The track was packed late on Sunday morning as many of the 700 participants returned tocomplete the event.

“I cannot thank everyone. There are just so many people in an event of this size,” she said. “We  are over the moon. It was the best weekend ever. The community showed up in droves.

“It shows the community wants Relay for Life.”

The relay has not been held for the last three years because of Covid-19 and flooding.

GEC Cancer Society president Pam Murphy said the event was “absolutely amazing” with many teams and great weather.

As of yesterday morning the total figure raised stood at $102,555.

Ms Podjursky said that figure would increase as some teams still had fundraising to collect.

The top fundraising team as of yesterday was Fight for Fighters with $9030.

The leading individual fundraiser was long-time Cancer Society fundraiser extraordinaire Daryl Gowers with $35,209.

Gisborne Boys’ High School completed the most laps over the duration of the relay —  the equivalent of 300 kilometres.