Relay gets results

A flood of purple hit Reddies Oval at the weekend.

FIFTY-ONE teams, thousands of laps and more than $125,000 raised so far for Cancer Council research, prevention and support services … these are the impressive statistics from Warwick’s Relay For Life which took place at Redback’s Oval last weekend.
About 700 people gathered in their comfiest outfits to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones who had passed away, and fight back against the deadly disease by relaying their hearts out.
Only in its second year, the event has almost doubled in size, with the number of teams skyrocketing from 28 to 51 and collections and pledges jumping from $72,000 last year to a whopping expected $150,000 when the bank account closes at the end of this year.
Event co-ordinator Mikey Dwan said he was “ecstatic” with the results and praised the organising committee and Southern Downs Regional Council mayor Peter Blundell, who supported the young leader with the load.
“Peter has been a great support … and he hasn’t left my side all year,” he said.
Luckily for Cr Neil Meiklejohn the weather is starting to warm up, after he and Esther Osborne shaved their purple-dyed hair for the cause on the Saturday night.
Cr Meiklejohn, whose 12-year-old daughter Caitlyn has had her own battles with cancer, said Relay For Life was the perfect chance to raise awareness and provide support.
He said one of the highlights of the event was hearing 16-year-old Keely Johnson sing. The childhood cancer awareness crusader, who hails from Ayr, has been diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and sang three songs on the night.