More than 600 people circuited Richmond A&P Showgrounds over 16 hours at the weekend’s Nelson Tasman Relay for Life fundraiser for the local Cancer Society branch.
The event, which was held between 4pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday, laced up after a six-year hiatus, and close to $180,000 had been raised for Cancer Society Nelson Tasman as of Monday, with donations still open for the next two weeks.
Cancer Society Nelson Tasman centre manager, Michelle Hunt, says the fundraiser was “magic” and the roughly 150 participating cancer survivors and their carers were “blown away”.
“Everyone was so committed to it. It has been mind blowing for [the cancer survivors and carers]… it was so much fun, and it was such an honour, and we’re just overwhelmed that we had so much support from the 50 teams.”
Michelle says the fundraiser opened with the survivors and carers lap to celebrate those who have fought against cancer, before a candlelight ceremony was held later in the evening to remember those who had lost their lives to cancer.
“Everyone got behind the survivors and their caregivers in the opening lap, we had the Nga Aho Rau kapa haka group perform to welcome them on to the start line. Our candlelight ceremony was so touching… and it was also a hard emotional time for some people who had lost loved ones to cancer, and have people in their lives who are still fighting.”
Nelson Sambassadors brought the sound of Rio to Richmond and led the opening lap for the survivors and carers.
The band tied ribbons to their drums which had the names of people battling, survived or succumbed to cancer.
Band member, Shannon Cassidy, says the band was “very honoured” to lead the “emotional” opening lap because some current members had survived cancer.
Richmond-based Tasman Insurance Brokers were one of the teams who took part in the fundraiser, and raised more than $3000.
Team leader Rachael Gunn says members Mahlee Langford-Gunn, 12, Massai Fotu-Gunn, 10, Kruz Apiti, 10, and Knixon Apiti, 9, were “full of energy” and pulled the team together over the 16 hours.
Motueka-based art and crafts group, Crafty Tarts, raised more than $8400, blitzing its $1000 goal.
Member Sheila Wilson says the team took part in the event for the first time to recognise one of its seven members who has recovered from breast cancer.
“It’s a very meaningful event and we all know that we need to raise money for the cancer society to support everyone when it comes to the crunch,” she says.
“We chose the walking option… about 5am we were all feeling a little bit jaded, but you just made yourself get up and do a few laps because it’s a team effort.
“The [Cancer Society Nelson Tasman] team was all brought to tears at the end of the event from everyone being so supportive of us being able to still support our community.”
Michelle says the event will set off again in 2026.
