Fundraisers are on the starting line for one of South East Cornwall’s biggest and most powerful efforts of the year.

Liskeard’s 24-hour ‘Relay for Life’ in aid of Cancer Research UK is the only Cornish event taking place as part of the organisation’s national campaign.

Last year, Liskeard organisers and their teams celebrated their 11th anniversary by raising more than £39,000 for the charity.

This year’s fun family event starts at 12 noon tomorrow at Lux Park.

Relay For Life is a team fund-raising challenge. Teams of family and friends unite and join a 24-hour celebration, taking turns to walk around a track. With live entertainment, themed fancy dress laps and fun competitions along the way, there is a lot going on to boost morale -and organisers say that ‘when our legs are tired, we walk with our hearts’.

For spectators and supporters there will be lots of fun whatever the weather with stalls, music, face painting, tombola and a grand raffle with a top prize of £100.

Entertainment at the event will be provided by Samba Kernow, Rosie, the Caradon Youth Choir and Charlie Harris, and there will be a silent disco to keep the late night relayers going into the small hours.

A ’donation station’ will be set up at the event where people can bring clean, bagged items to donate to Cancer Research UK.

‘Wake up, Shake up’ with Lisa will be motivating the teams from 8am on the Sunday.

This year, 16 teams and 194 people are registered to take part.

At a Relay For Life event there are special moments that bring everyone together:

• VIP guests are the cancer survivors. Each Relay for Life event begins with their Lap of Honour.

• A Candle of Hope Ceremony sees the darkness lit up in memory of those we’ve lost and in celebration of those still here.

• Information about Cancer Research UK’s science in cancer prevention is shared.

• There’s music, games and fun, with lighthearted themed laps to highlight different aspects of cancer

• A celebratory closing ceremony celebrates the achievements.

Each Relay is led by a group of volunteers. One of those committee members who has been dedicated to the cause is Alex Putna of Pensilva. She said: ‘We are delighted to welcome the return of Caradon Youth Choir to support our most poignant time during the Relay, our Candle of Hope ceremony. This is a time for reflection, celebrating our loved ones; recognising not only those whose treatment has been successful, or is ongoing, but most importantly remembering those whose life has ended because of this disease. Relayers and members of the public gather to remember the people that have inspired them to be part of this event, and a silent lap is walked around the track that is lined with the candle bags, decorated to honour those loved ones.’

Candle bags are available at the event or contact [email protected].

After the Candle of Hope Ceremony, only registered Relayers will be on site, walking throughout the night. 

‘Members of the public are welcomed again to the event on Sunday morning,’ Alex continued.

’Everyone is welcome although please remember that dogs are not allowed on the rugby pitch.

‘Breakfast is served from 8am with more fun fancy dress laps before the final lap at 12 noon and a chance to congratulate participants, and announce the raffle winners.’