Cancer Research UK Relay For Life

Bolton Arena (5th July, 12.00pm)

The Relay For Life events are held in communities throughout the UK, and throughout the world, and are entirely organised by volunteers from that community.  A volunteer committee has formed in Bolton under the leadership of Sarah Dawson the Committee Chair.  Notable groups within the community are involved in the organisation of the events, including the Bolton Lads & Girls Club, “V” youth volunteering project, The University of Bolton and, we hope, many more in the coming months.  The committee organise the Relay event, recruit teams, encourage teams to fundraise in the run up to the Relay and invite cancer survivors to the event.

At the Relay For Life event itself, teams of friends, families and colleagues join together and walk around a track in relay – keeping one member of the team on the track at all times.  The teams camp out overnight and create a party atmosphere throughout the day, holding fundraising stalls, taking part in themed laps, offering local bands a showcase for their talents and any other activities the committee organise.

The Relay is also a fantastic opportunity to bring cancer awareness information to the community.  This can take the form of traditional information leaflets or more interactive activities such as health quizzes, promotion of healthy eating and poster competitions.  The event focuses around cancer survivors in the community, offering them the chance to be VIP guests and celebrate with friends and family.  Cancer survivors take the opening lap of the event and this is often an emotional time for those involved.  The relay is also a time for remembrance, with an emotional Candle of Hope ceremony held as darkness falls – this is also the only time when the Relay stands still.

The key factor about Relay For Life is that there is something for everyone.  Men and women of all ages and children can enter teams, help provide entertainment, volunteer for the organising committee and more. As the event is non-athletic this does not restrict anyone from taking part.

I hope this has given you an insight into what Relay For Life is all about.  This will be the first year that a Relay For Life event has taken place in Bolton so we need as much support from the community as possible. If you would like any further information then you can visit the website at: www.cancerresearchuk.org/relay or do not hesitate to contact me.

Sarah Dawson
Volunteer Committee Chair
Bolton Relay For Life
07917 773589
Email: sarahdawson567@hotmail.com

Relay For Life

Volunteers for Cancer Research UK are organising the first ever Relay For Life to be held in Bolton and need your support.  The Relay For Life is a unique 24-hour outdoor fundraising event where friends and family come together to celebrate the life of cancer survivors and remember those who they have lost.  The Relay For Life will take place on the 5th and 6th of July 2008 at Bolton Arena where teams from all sectors of the community will take turns to walk or run around the track following a lap of honour by cancer survivors.

The key factor about Relay For Life is that there is something for everyone. Men and women of all ages and children can enter teams.  Whilst team members are showing their support on the track, others can enjoy the variety of entertainment from music to competitions, with a touching candle of hope ceremony at nightfall.

To make the event a success, Relay for Life volunteers are inviting teams and those who have been touched by cancer to get involved and start supporting the event now.  Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be overcome.

For more information visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.uk/relay. If you are interested in entering a team contact Claire Griffiths on 07843 699 766.  For all other enquires about The Bolton Relay For Life contact the Committee Chair, Sarah Dawson on 07917 773 589 or sarahdawson567@hotmail.com.

Together we will beat cancer

Horwich RMI Harriers 24 Hour Challenge

There are many ways that you can get involved, why not enter a team, volunteer your time as a member of the organising committee, go along as a survivor and give hope to those affected by cancer, or simply turn up on the day and join in the fun!  For Teams it is usually suggested 8-15 people, but it can be as many or as little in a team as long as someone stays on the track at all times... the more people in the team the easier it is!

If you would like to help out in some way please get in contact.  They look forward to hearing from you!