Relay for Life back on the calendar for 2024

Relay for Life is back in 2024. After three years of delays and interruptions caused by Covid-19 and flooding, the fun community event and Cancer Society fundaiser is back.

The 24-hour event (midday to midday) will be at the A&P Showgrounds, on March 9 and 10.

It will be at the front trade area known as Poynters Park.

Gisborne-East Coast Cancer Society fundraising and events co-ordinator Shay Podjursky is busy, but also excited about relaunching Relay for Life after three years.

“We’re really excited to get it off the ground and get it going,” she said.

“There’s a lot of work going on in the  background with a very committed committee of volunteers.

“This is my third attempt at starting Relay for Life.

“Third one’s a charm, right?  Fingers crossed.

“There’s nothing like bringing the community together for something like this.”

Regular Relay for Life compere Walter the Wiz has “an insanely good line-up” of entertainers to perform on stage.

As is customary, the relay starts with a celebration lap featuring cancer survivors and their carers.

Sponsors, Property Brokers, and the Cancer Society will host registered survivors and carers for lunch in the Celebration Marquee.

“Candle bags for the track-side night ceremony to honour cancer survivors and to remember those we have lost will be on sale from the marquee,”  said Ms Podjursky. Registered teams will receive a cooked breakfast on Sunday morning to encourage them for those last few hours.

“It’s really good to get out there and just be with the community — be around all those teams, and see it all come to fruition.”

More information is available at the Cancer Society 718 Gladstone Road or at relayforlife.org.nz/