Ten years of running for cancer research

The party gets bigger every year and the invitation is extended to everyone in town, so it's no surprise that the same people come back a second time.

But when they return for the tenth time there must be a serious drawcard to keep them coming back for more.

A Bunch of Wallys has been to every Relay for Life since 2001.

A fixture in their red and white striped T-shirts, red bobble hats and thick black-framed plastic glasses, the team have become synonymous with the event.

"There's usually about 10 people in the team, sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less,"says team captain David Leishman.

Members often have their children come along as the event is a family affair. The youngsters get to wear the kids' size shirts, making the number of Wallys on the track swell even more.

It's become a fixed annual event for the team members and while the faces may change from year to year, a hard-core group shows up every year to do their bit.

Relay for Life raises funds for the Cancer Society. Thankfully no-one in the team has had a personal experience with the disease themselves but it has played a part in their lives.

"We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and unfortunately some of those people are not with us anymore. That's why we do it."

The first year Mr Leishman says he heard about a relay but wasn't sure what it was all about.

"As soon as I knew what the reason was behind it I knew that it had to be done."

Wife Karen whipped up the colourful shirts on the sewing machine. Over the years the outfit has changed from white shirts painted with red stripes to outfits made from red and white striped fabric.

They have seen some changes in the event over the years including moving the running lane.

"That has made it a lot safer for the non runners as some of those school kids can really rip it up round the track."

While they may all be wearing the same shirt, each team member has their own method of getting sponsorship.

"Some of us just write a cheque and some of us hit up work mates and the like."

- © Fairfax NZ News