The volunteer 2008 Casey-Cardinia Relay for Life committee show off their awards which were recently presented at the Victorian Relay for Life Summit.THE first steps of a long and emotional journey were taken on Saturday by those involved with the 2008 Casey-Cardinia Relay for Life
A dedicated and passionate group of local residents gathered to launch the relay at the City of Casey council chambers.
The Cancer Council Victoria fund raising event was officially launched by Casey mayor Colin Butler.
“I am very pleased to be here today to launch the 2008 Relay for Life, which brings us all together in the common goal of defeating cancer and honouring those whose lives have been touched by cancer,” Cr Butler said.
“It will be the fifth Casey-Cardinia Relay and to say that it keeps getting bigger would be an understatement.”
He said more than 900 participants raised in excess of $208,000 in the 2007 event – an increase of more than 500 per cent on the previous best effort.
The success of the 2007 event was recognised at the recent Victorian Relay for Life Summit with Casey-Cardinia receiving the award for most outstanding event.
The Casey-Cardinia event, which is held at Akoonah Park in Berwick, was also recognised for reaching the $250,000 fund raising milestone.
Relay officials believe 2008 is already set to be another outstanding event with 16 teams already registered and out and about in the community raising funds and spreading the Relay for Life word.
Relay for Life coordinator Kelly Furey said the organising committee was delighted with the success of the launch and was confident the Casey-Cardinia Relay for Life would continue to grow with next year’s event. The launch saw the registration of two returning teams and the recruitment of three new members for the volunteer committee.
Rotary Club of Berwick president Geoff Rankin attended the launch and pledged Rotary’s support for the event.
The 2008 Casey Cardinia Relay For Life will be held on Friday 29 February and Saturday 1 March.
Registration is $15 and includes a Relay for Life branded polo shirt, receipt book and fund raising materials.
For more information or to register a team phone 1300 656 585 or visit www.relayforlife.org.au.
