By CASEY NEILL
GREATER Dandenong Relayers have raised more than $27,000 for the Cancer Council.
About 250 people kept batons moving around the Ross Reserve Athletics Track in Noble Park from 3pm on Saturday 10 October until 9am the following day.
The Carwatha Champions team raised more than $6000 and will have a research grant named in honour of late student Damien who would have graduated this year.
Event organiser Gaye Guest said the event raised $21,000 last year and that this year’s total could easily top $30,000.
She said the event’s first chairman Alan Collier spoke at the opening and was part of the Rotary Club of Dandenong team.
About 100 VCAL students supported walkers over the course of the evening and daffodils knitted by Dandenong U3A members brightened the track.
“It’s a symbol now that is very unique to Dandenong. Whenever we go to an event we’ll be able to wear them,” she said.
Celebrant Dawn Dickson led a candlelight ceremony to honour those who’ve lost their lives to cancer.
“It was just a beautiful service the way she brought it together,” Ms Guest said.
“We had a PowerPoint presentation of those people that we were remembering.
“It was very special.”
Three candles were lit to symbolise the past, present and future.
“A girl Poppi lit a candle in memory of her father,” she said.
“Nyssa lit the present one because she is a cancer survivor. Then there was a student, her name was Natalie, she lit the candle for the future.
“Then there was a procession around the track and the three candles led the possession.
“A duo called Paul and Francis played some appropriate songs while the teams walked the full length of the track.”
Teams donated food to Springvale Benevolent Society president Joe Rechici at the end of the event.
“He was very grateful because it takes the pressure off people like him and his volunteers,” Ms Guest said.
“This week they’ll be able to help families and they won’t have to think about how they can stretch a dollar further.”
