All the planning, all the fundraisers, all the sore feet were worth it at the weekend with the news that $105,154 has been raised by the 2014 South Burnett Relay For Life … with even more dollars expected to roll in over the next few weeks.
Co-ordinator Rowena Dionysius announced the figure at the official closing ceremony for the 2014 Relay at Kingaroy Showground on Sunday morning.
“It’s a phenomenal amount again this year,” she said. “That is incredible, well done!”
Relay Patron Carl Rackemann said this was the third time the South Burnett Relay had raised more than $100,000.
“Every cent is precious,” he said.
The Relay For Life is the major fundraiser locally for the Cancer Council of Queensland.
More than $40,000 from the total was raised at the Dinner With The Captains earlier this year, with the rest coming in from multiple fundraisers by various groups, including local businesses, schools and families.
Forty-three teams took park in the Relay this year – more than last year – walking circuit after circuit of the speedway track at the showground.
The Relay kicked off at 3:00pm on Saturday afternoon with the traditional Survivors’ and Carers’ Walk, paused briefly at dusk for a Candlelight Ceremony of remembrance, and then continued uninterrupted until 9:00am on Sunday.
The walkers were kept entertained with music and games all night, and Rotary supplied hot food.
Rowena Dionysius thanked the sponsors of the 2014 Relay: Kingaroy Rotary, Crumptons, Mondee Coffee, Harvey Norman, the South Burnett Times, Swickers, the South Burnett Show Society and Relay Patron Carl Rackemann.
UPDATE December 15: Organisers have confirmed that the fundraising total for the 2014 Relay has passed $120,000.