Napier Boys' High School going above and beyond for Relay for Life

Front row: Angus Dykes (Left), John O'Connor, Ricky Losauro, Archie Hargrave, Christopher Bonthron, Liam McCarthy, Jackson Taylor, Mitchell Taylor, Noah Smith.2nd Row: Toby Thorp Walker, Joel Restieaux, Archie Elliott, Max Simcox (Head Boy), Mason Lowe, Kingston Webb (Team leader), Harry Stilwell3rd Row: Gabriel Wyatt, Ryan McGuire, Mihnea Vlad, Jackson Ranapiri,Back Row: Anthony Paquit, Tiaki Fabish, Hamish Rybinski, Thomas McDermott, George Perry.

Napier Boys' High School is among many schools in the region who are getting behind the Cancer Society.

Having taken part in Relay for Life for about six years, the school is keen to keep growing their team and raising more money.

Napier Boys' High School headmaster Matthew Bertram said each year their team has grown bigger in support and participation.

"This year we have around 40 students taking part with staff members there to support them including [the headmaster].

"The students fundraise with events such as sausage sizzles, Art Deco collections and selling sunscreen. In 2017 we raised $4600 and we aim to better this for 2018."

Year 10 student Mitchell Taylor said it was a good cause to get behind.

"It makes me feel good when I know I'm doing something to raise money for cancer and help the families who have lost loved ones because of cancer and I know some people who have died from cancer."

Cancer Society New Zealand Hawke's Bay centre manager Trudy Kirk said the Hawke's Bay Relay For Life event is always well supported by secondary school teams.

"Our kids are also affected by cancer, you don't have to talk to many to find out about their gran or grandad, aunty or uncle or sometimes mum or dad, a sibling or a school mate who have had a cancer diagnosis or sadly lost to cancer."

A large number of students enjoy running the track and check each other's laps and times. It's a fun event for them, but that doesn't take away from the meaning of Relay For Life for many of them.