Team won't fall fowl of relay's risks

Harsh lessons learnt one year ago will be benefit the stomachs of team Tegel during this weekend's Relay for Life at Pukekura Raceway in New Plymouth.

Nearly 100 teams have entered the annual Cancer Society 24-hour relay, which last year netted $180,000 for the charity.

One of the teams that helped the society reach that sum was Cheap Chicks, a group of workers from Tegel Foods in Bell Block, who entered for the first time last year.

"We didn't know what we were doing at all. We were cold and hungry and at one stage there was just two of us going around the track for hours," said receptionist and organiser Frances Gillbanks.

"We're going to be a lot better off this year. We will be bringing sleeping bags, chairs and a barbecue."

Cancer Society Taranaki manager Andy Gowland-Douglas said the 97 teams registered for the event this year was a record and more than 1500 people would be involved.

"Many of the teams are dedicated to loved ones who have lost the battle against cancer or are in honour of loved ones who have survived cancer," Mrs Gowland-Douglas said.

"This makes participating in the event personal and often very emotional, especially during the special ceremonies like the survivors' ceremony that celebrates life with cancer survivors."

This year a special "fight back" ceremony is being included to encourage people to do at least one thing to fight back against cancer in some way.

This could include quitting smoking, having a smear test or mammogram, or making a small donation, Mrs Gowland-Douglas said.

Relay For Life is a global movement involving more than 3.5 million people each year.

Entry to the event and the accompanying festival is open to all from 11am to 11pm on Saturday and from 8am on Sunday.

- © Fairfax NZ News