Organisers delighted by huge response to shire Relay for Life

Chairman Rod Coy said, after last year, when the event was held in the virtual world, the aim was just to break even and get back on a track in a limited way before having a full Relay next year.

"The target was $40,000 to $50,000, and three weeks ago that's what we thought would be the outcome," he said.

"But, since then, the response has been amazing and we now look like we will raise $130,000 to $140,000 and the final tally could even reach $200,000.

"People can still make donations through the Sutherland Shire Relay for Life website."

The event had to be scaled back this year due to COVID-19, with the start and finish, as well as a Saturday night function, held in Don Lucas Reserve, with participants dispersing to walk in various parts of the shire.

Mr Coy said more than 1000 people attended the Saturday night event, sitting 10 to a table for the traditional, candlelight ceremony, remembering loved ones who have died or are battling cancer, a banquet and concert.

The function included a 20th anniversary celebration. "The weather was perfect, we had three bands playing and everyone loved it," he said. "It was great to get up and dance again."

Mr Coy thanked the residents of Wanda and Greenhills "for inviting us into their neighbourhood and allowing us to raise this money".

"I went around homes last week to let people know what we were doing, and they were extremely supportive," he said.

Mr Coy said, over 20 years, not including last weekend, the event had raised more than $7 million, funding about 70 research grants, but it was not just about raising money.

"It's a chance to remember people, to walk for someone, to be part of a group where we care about each other.

"There's no better way to teach kids about community than to let them experience Relay."

The event started in beautiful weather on Saturday morning with about 200 people attending the opening ceremony and Survivors and Carers Walk.

The throng included those remembering a loved one lost to cancer, those who are battling the disease, those who have survived, the families, the carers and other supporters.

Sutherland Shire mayor Steve Simpson opened the event.

Cr Simpson, whose son Adam died after a long battle with cancer, said, "Relay allows people who have either got family or friends with cancer and who feel useless and hopeless to do something that really makes a difference".

Relay for Life photo gallery