The Celton Manx Cancer Research UK Relay for Life will be taking place this weekend, 25th and 26th August at the National Sports Centre.
The first relay was staged on the island in 2010 and over the past two years the event has raised over ?87,000 for Cancer Research UK. Teams from all over the island will gather again this Saturday to take part in the 24 hour relay walk around the NSC athletics track.
The event will start with a special VIP reception for cancer survivors and His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Mr Adam Wood will lead off the first lap of the track to officially open the relay. Teams will then aim to have one member on track at all times for 24 hours.
At dusk the track will empty, for the only time during the 24 hour relay, to allow for the Candle of Hope Ceremony to take place. Candle of Hope bags are decorated in dedication to a cancer survivor or a loved one lost to the disease and candles are lit and placed inside them during the moving ceremony.
Celton Manx Executive Director Bill Mummery said: ‘I am sure we all know somebody whose life has been touched by cancer in some way. It is fantastic that all of the money raised by Relay for Life is donated directly to Cancer Research UK to benefit research centres in Liverpool where the majority of Manx cancer patients are treated. I thoroughly enjoyed the event last year and encourage everyone to get down to the NSC to cheer on the walkers this weekend.’
Chairman of Isle of Man Relay for Life Gaynor Haxby said: ‘We are delighted to have Celton Manx as our main sponsor for the event again this year. Now that all of the costs of hosting the event have been covered, all of the money raised can be put towards helping to beat cancer. We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather and I am looking forward to seeing lots of supporters there on the day.’
Throughout the day there will be entertainment for all the family, which members of the public are invited to attend, to help motivate the relay teams. All day there will be fun and games with the team from media partners 3FM and EnergyFM.
The event starts at 12noon on Saturday 25th August and everyone is welcome to come along. While visiting, take the Celton Manx Penalty Kick Challenge and be in with the chance of winning two tickets to a premiership football match. Celton, who through their brand SBOBET sponsor West Ham United, have kindly donated two tickets to any West Ham home game of your choice. The challenge runs from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday.
Follow the Isle of Man Relay on Twitter: twitter.com/relayiom or tune into 3FM and EnergyFM for regular updates on Relay.
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