DETERMINED fundraisers who took their event off the track and onto the internet have raised over £17,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Relay for Life’s only event in Cornwall had been due to take place in Liskeard on the May Bank Holiday. Teams are sponsored to walk in relay for 24 hours around the rugby field at Lux Park and live music, fundraising stalls, games and entertainment make it a fun family event for both participants and supporters.

As the coronavirus lockdown progressed, the Relay for Life committee were adamant the event would go ahead. While teams set up Zoom and got ready to walk laps in their gardens, committee chair Alex Putna and social media guru Charlotte Willcocks prepared to run all the usual timetabled activities over Facebook: the opening and closing ceremonies, the Candle of Hope ceremony, the fancy dress laps and even recorded songs from the musicians who had been set to play live.

With around 20 teams taking part in the virtual Relay over the weekend, and more than 500 followers on the Facebook page, almost £1300 was brought in over the 24 hours to add to the £15,760 already raised through sponsorship and team fundraising.

During the opening ceremony, live from a windy Lux Park, Alex was joined by Cancer Research UK head of fundraising Trudy Stammer ,who alluded to the fact it would have been the 10th Relay at the rugby club this year.

Special mention was also made of cancer survivor Joy Parker, who has supported the event from the beginning and whose birthday falls on the opening day. It’s also a difficult anniversary for Joy and her family, as Joy’s husband Geoff died on the same day in 2018.

As the online version of Relay unfolded, it proved to be a huge success, said Alex, thanks to all those who played a part.

’We had our amazing themed laps representing different aspects of cancer on the hour every hour,’ she said.

’Montage highlights were put together by Charlotte for Facebook posts, and then then teams were also posting live. Committee member Steve Gimblett worked round the clock to bring pictures and updates to the Relay website, where all the information and highlights are still available to view.

Songs were recorded by local musicians Alan Moorhouse, Karl Jarvis, Rosie Ugalde, Charlie Louise, Molly Hocking and the Pelynt Male Voice Choir to be shared during the weekend. And while team member Luke Middleton had written the original Liskeard Relay song heard in the opening montage, there was also a special contribution from Joe Gillette of New York’s Mabel Lodge Relay.

’Community spirit, kindess, and the little acts that add up to making a big difference are all part of life for everybody at the moment,’ said Alex.

’These are always part of the Relay ethos. This year is a special year and it’s been a special event so we decided to award the ’Spirit of Relay’ award to each and every one of the Relay community.’

The other Relay awards were as follows: Young Inspirational Fundraisers: Lillie-May and Alfie; Team Award: Wilson’s Walkers; Special Achievement Award: Charlotte Willcocks.