Biloela relay smashes expectations
Brett Wilson, chair of the Biloela Relay For Life event, said that, as of Wednesday, the efforts by the 42 relay teams had seen $85,570.85 raised.
"When we first started out planning for this event, we gave ourselves a target of 20 teams - we exceeded that a couple of weeks ago," Mr Wilson said.
He said they had wanted to raise $20,000 for cancer research, support services and to promote awareness of the disease.
Mr Wilson said that when he had announced to the gathered teams the total amount raised, "it resulted in an awe-inspiring cheer from everyone on the track."
"It made us (the organising committee) very proud of being the team that brought the event to life here in Biloela."
The high number of participants also pleased Mr Wilson: "At its peak, we estimate that there could have been 800 people at the Biloela Relay For Life."
He said around 50 survivors and carers had opened the walking for the event.
He said the candlelit ceremony in the evening was something the community had not seen before, let alone experienced.
"It was a ceremony filled with emotion, brought to life with the inspirational remarks of both John Hooper and Anne Wilson, the patron and face of the relay.
"The sea of candlelight on the track that stopped the relay for about half an hour, along with the letters spelling out 'Hope' lit by candles and Alan McTaggart's rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, made the ceremony that little bit more memorable.
"This ceremony was undoubtedly the most important part of our relay and gave relayers the opportunity to remember loved ones, work colleagues, friends and family members who have lost their battle with the disease," Mr Wilson said.
"I don't think there was a dry eye on the track.
"The benchmark has now been set and we intend to make next year's event bigger and better and we hope to have similar support from the communities and businesses of the Banana Shire for 2012.
"We already have teams lining up from as far south as Monto for next year's event. Once we have a date for 2012, we will announce it and the website will open so that teams can register and start their fundraising."
RELAY RUNDOWN
Highest Team Fundraiser: Rumintherace
Bills Simms' Spirit of the Relay Award: Pink Diamonds
Best-themed Site:
Too Inspired To Be Tired
Best Use of the CCQ Hotline: Rumintherace
Best Costumes/Baton:
Pink Bikkies
Best Letterbox:
Where's Wally
