Pack your PJ’s and roll out your swag because Maitland’s Relay for Life is going overnight this year.
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The Cancer Council fundraiser was originally a 24 hour event when it was established 15 years ago, then changed to 12 hours more recently.
But Maitland Relay for Life chairperson Natalie Anderson said to celebrate the event’s 15th anniversary, the committee decided to hold a one-off overnight birthday party.
“It’s really special walking around the track at 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning,” Ms Anderson said. “There’s not many people out there and you can really reflect and focus on why you’re there.”
About 30 teams have registered for the event on September 8 and 9. A total of $25,000 has also been raised – a quarter of the overall goal of $100,000.
Ms Anderson said the committee was aiming for this year’s relay to be a “carnival style” event, with a kids’ zone, food trucks, twilight markets, a magician and possibly even fire breathing and stilt walking.
“We want it to be a fun and family experience,” she said.
Along with the fun side, Ms Anderson encouraged people to get involved to support the many people who have battled cancer.
“The statistics show one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer,” Ms Anderson said. “It’s pretty much guaranteed that someone you know will be impacted.”
Ms Anderson said the great thing about the Maitland relay was that the funds were spent locally with money going to research at the University of Newcastle and transport to treatment.
An information night will be held 6.30pm Monday at Hope Care East Maitland.
