Hundreds take on Relay for Life
●● A team who completed the Rossendale Relay for Life in memory of Janette Bell Tickets from £12* 0843 208 1840 mif.co.uk #mif17 CHARLOTTE GREEN
HUNDREDS of fundraisers took on Rossendale’s 11th relay for life under glorious blue skies and summer sun.
The annual event, which took place on Saturday, June 17 at Marl Pits in Rawtenstall, saw around 1,000 spectators watch the community unite to raise funds for vital cancer research.
Despite the mercury reaching the high 20s, the punishing conditions did not deter the 568 participants, 37 teams and 57 survivors taking part in the 24-hour challenge.
Jacqui Kemp, who is a member of the organising committee, said the donations are still be counted but they have high hopes of matching last year’s total of £37,500 after the ‘fantastic’ event.
She said: “It was absolutely brilliant. We have ●● Cancer survivors Jenny Holland, Pat Howarth and Linda Smalley ●● Two of the fundraisers had a fantastic weekend, everybody enjoyed themselves and the weather just topped it off.
“This is the third year in 11 that it’s been nice – we sent quite a few ‘lobsters’ home but we made sure everybody was wearing hats and had plenty of water.”
She added: “No matter the weather it doesn’t dampen anyone’s spirits but it was so fine it did feel very like a festival. People ●● The fundraiser was held as Marl Pits in glorious sunshine ●● Survivor Jenny Holland singing at the event ●● ‘Bev’s slimming world’ team was one of the groups taking part in Rossendale’s Relay for Life were dancing on the green and children were playing in a bucket of sand. It was another successful year for the Relay.”
There was also a range of music from local bands and singers including Francesca Di Michelle, ‘Spencer’ and rock and pop covers band ‘A Few Good Men’ and performances from the Cotton Shed Theatre group and dancers from Rossendale Dance and Drama.