Organisers are anticipating about 600 people to roll up for Tamworth’s relay, which means the world to people like Nathan Peters.

Mr Peters lost a grandfather and a cousin to cancer.

“The support you get from the community, it’s so helpful,” Mr Peters said.

The Tamworth man, along with brother Justin, has been doing the yearly fundraising-trek for five years and it’s their way of saying thank you to the community that helped their family through a difficult time.

“My cousin was only 17 at the time, he lost his life pretty early,” Nathan said.

“At the time, I appreciated the donations and the help, but I just felt like I couldn’t give back and this is my way of giving back to those people.”

The Peters brothers have also been helping out on the Relay For Life committee for two years and were please with the the early estimates on this year’s turnout.

“It makes everything we’re doing worthwhile,” Nathan said.

“There’s plenty of support and there always has been.

“Tamworth always comes together in these events and supports a lot of people.”

Relay organiser Kate Dubois said the event is different to other fundraisers.

“There’s the fundraising side of it, but it’s also a very community-based event,” Ms Dubois said.

“A lot of a our focus is around the survivors and carers and making them feel like their journey has mattered and their stories are heard.”

Ms Dubois said it was important to show support for people caring for loved-ones with cancer.

“Because the focus is on the person going through the treatment, the carers are often the ones who become quite emotionally exhausted and don’t necessarily have as many people to turn to,” she said.

“Often that puts [their life] on hold and it all becomes about the person who needs them at the time.

“It’s probably one of the real important parts of relay.”

Tamworth’s relay is hoping to muster $70,000 for NSW Cancer Council.

The event kicks off at 2pm on Saturday, April 1, at the Tamworth Showground, inside the trots track.

It’s not too late to get involved: registrations can be taken on the day at the event from 11:30am, over the phone at 6763 0900 or at the local Cancer Council office at 218 Peel St.