Relay for Life in Northland hailed a success

Huanui College students, from left, Aroha Snowsill, Lena Newman,Heather Nichols and Lily Harmston brought lots of colour to the Relay. Photo / John Stone

Occasional showers did not deter more than 500 Northlanders who turned up for the annual Relay for Life to raise much-needed funds for cancer sufferers.

Organised by the Caner Society Northland, the event raised $69,714 as of yesterday morning but that amount would be higher as final numbers were still being tallied up.

Last year, the society raised $107,000.

The popular event last weekend was held at Trigg Sports Arena, at Kensington Park, from 4pm on Saturday and 10am yesterday. Relay for Life is also held around the country with this year's theme "No one Goes Through Cancer Alone".

Relay for Life is a carnival atmosphere of live music, entertainment, games, activities and family fun event for everyone of all fitness levels, during which people celebrate with survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and come together as a community to fight back against cancer.

It is an ideal team-building opportunity for any workplace.

Cancer Society Northland community fundraiser, Natasha Judd, said 41 teams with just over 500 people from throughout the region registered and took part in the Relay.

"It was good to see participants from a mixture of areas. It got a little bit soggy but the weather certainly improved and all really enjoyed it."

Most of the participants, she said, camped at the event venue overnight on Saturday and had a big breakfast yesterday organised by Pak'nSave.

One in three New Zealanders will be affected by cancer in their lifetime.

Cancer Society Northland provides free support services and information for people going through cancer treatment. It also funds important scientific cancer research and implements health promotion initiatives to reduce cancer for future generations.

The society receives no direct government funding and relies on the generosity of New Zealanders to provide these services.