Celton Manx is to be lead sponsor of Relay For Life Isle of Man for the fourth successive year.
 
Part of a global movement fundraising for cancer research the relay will take place on Saturday August 23rd at the National Sports Centre and represents, says event chairman Nicola Walkingshaw, ‘a culmination and celebration of community fundraising events’.
 
‘While for 2014 our focus is very much on the year-long campaign, the relay is a powerful way to highlight the work of Cancer Research UK to a wide audience and is a fantastic community fundraising event. Last year we exceeded our ?50,000 target and raised more than ?63,000, thanks to the generosity of the people of the Isle of Man and the support we receive from Celton Manx, whose sponsorship helps us raise the relay’s profile Island-wide.
 
‘In terms of team numbers signed up so far the Isle of Man currently ranks top in the north west region with 22 teams. Last year response was tremendous as well, with the Isle of Man coming first out of five relay events in the north west region, outdoing very well established Relay For Life events in Gwynedd and Anglesey. In addition, out of 38 events nationwide we ranked fifth for the total of participating teams and seventh for income and numbers of participants.
 
‘2013 saw more than 500 entrants, from tiny babies to families with children, along with older people and cancer survivors taking part. There were 38 teams, including those set up in memory of loved ones, among them Dot’s Dream Foundation, Remembering Jade and Naseem’s Manx Brain Tumour charity, as well as school, social and corporate teams.
 
‘Although Cancer Research UK is a UK-registered charity, money raised in the Island is channelled into those north west Cancer Research UK departments which offer trials, treatment and research largely for Isle of Man patients.
 
‘Relay For Life is a fun family-focused event, open to all ages and abilities. We still need more teams, though, to achieve the ?65,000 target set for 2014 and help the charity with its live-saving work. Every step Cancer Research UK makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated.’
 
Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘Relay For Life Isle of Man has proved to be a powerful force for good in raising funds for early detection and diagnosis of cancer, a life-limiting illness that touches the lives of so many, as evidenced by the broad cross section of people who enter the event each year. The dedication of Nicola and her team, together with the sheer determination of all those who take part is truly inspiring.  Celton Manx is proud to be lead sponsor of this event which reaches to the very heart of the community and helps accelerate the ground-breaking research of Cancer Research UK.’
 
The Relay For Life Isle of Man 2014 takes place on Saturday August 23rd at the National Sports Centre, Groves Road, Douglas, starting at 12noon.
 
You can register or donate online at relay.cancerresearch.org.uk. 
 
For more information follow Relay For Life Isle of Man on Facebook, email marketing@relay.co.im or call Nicola Walkingshaw on 454789.