DAYS before the inaugural Gunnedah Relay for Life, 70 teams and 969 walkers have registered to take turns stepping out at the event from 6pm tomorrow to 6pm Saturday at Kitchener Oval.
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Gunnedah Relay for Life will celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones who died from cancer, and raise money for Cancer Council research and support services for cancer patients and carers.
The Cancer Council north west public relations officer Megan Dixon said there had been tremendous support from the Gunnedah and Boggabri communities since a public meeting in November.
Ms Dixon said the Gunnedah Relay for Life would trial a 6pm Friday start and a 6pm Saturday finish to take advantage of a rest day before teams fronted up for work or school on Monday.
"The number of teams has grown quickly, jumping 10-20 each week since the beginning of April," Ms Dixon said.
"The committee is thrilled with the response and we look forward to a fun and meaningful event on Friday and Saturday."
Teams will be asked to estimate their fundraising on Saturday afternoon so a provisional fundraising total can be announced at the closing ceremony at 6pm Saturday.
The 70 teams represent Gunnedah Shire Council, Lundy House, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, ANZ, Boggabri RSL, Woolworths, Gunnedah Pre-School, Rotary, Lions, Apex, Grey Power, Gunnedah Cancer Support Group, Challenge, Gunnedah Workshop Enterprises, VIEW, 2MO/2GGG, Gunnedah South Public School, Gunnedah Public School, Centrelink, Gunnedah Health Service, Gunnedah Triathlon Club, Family Day Care, Ooranga, Gunnedah PCYC, Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club and many local businesses.
In addition, nine local service clubs and community groups have banded together to cater for the event: Gunnedah and Boggabri Lions, Gunnedah Apex, Gunnedah West, Gunnedah and Boggabri Rotary Clubs, Evening VIEW Club of Gunnedah, Greypower, and Red Cross.
The groups will provide supper for participants in the Survivors and Carers Walk at 6pm Friday, and will sell a variety of food throughout the event including comfort food of hot soup, hot chocolate and cheese and tomato melts for "graveyard shift" walkers, and a free healthy breakfast for walkers from 7am Saturday.
The Gunnedah Relay for Life program features the opening ceremony at 5.45pm, Survivors and Carers Walk at 6pm and Candlelight Ceremony at 8pm, entertainment by local acts Streamline, Roger, Boy of Love, Daddyos, Kirrilee's School of Dance, Peter Sommerville, Sober, Anthony Snape, St Mary's Jazz Band, Katrina Burgyone and the Gunnedah Shire Band.
Other activities include children's novelty races, face painting, jumping castle, guessing competition, tai chi, Ooranga Toy Library, teddy bears' picnic and ball games.
