All ready for Relay for Life

PATRICK HAMILTON/Nelson Mail

FINAL TOUCHES: The Relay For Life Purple Gang's Linda Lucre, front left, Sue Chapman, Fiona Mckenzie, back left, and Ian Chapman tend to the last details before this weekend's Cancer Society event at Saxton Field.

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For the volunteer organising the logistics of tomorrow's Relay for Life, it has been a 20-hour-a-week project for the past 20 weeks.

"It's my fourth relay and it's my last," laughs Lee Corlett. "But it's great fun."

He has organised much of the infrastructure involved with the 17-hour relay, which with Daffodil Day is the major fundraiser for the Nelson Cancer Society.

A 12-metre wide by 520-metre long track has been marked at Saxton Field and marquees, floodlights, toilets, skips and fire extinguishers have been organised.

Mr Corlett said he volunteered because his father had died of cancer. "Eight years ago when the relay first hit Nelson, I decided to get involved."

A team of 14 from the Nelson Cancer Society has been planning the event since October, with all, except acting manager Linda Lucre, volunteers.

A further 48 cadets, 30 sea cadets and 40 volunteers will help at the weekend.

"Everybody has gone the extra mile," Ms Lucre said.

She was delighted with the support from businesses, and the efforts of the 90 teams who had entered, all of whom were competing for "the same slice of the (fundraising) pie".

Ms Lucre encouraged everyone who was not taking part in the relay to show their encouragement for cancer survivors by being at Saxton Field when the relay starts, and to bid on items in the silent auction.

Activity has reached fever pitch at the Nelson Cancer Society offices in Waimea Rd.

Both Ms Lucre and Mr Corlett said they could not wait for the relay to start.

"Bring it on" they said.

The relay begins at 4pm tomorrow with the survivors' lap, followed by the carers' lap. The candle ceremony will be held at 10pm. Breakfast is at 7am and the relay finishes at 9am. The silent auction will run from 5pm to midnight.

- © Fairfax NZ News