Relay For Life revamped

After two years of Covid-19-related disruptions, the new-look Relay For Life Dunedin is back in 2022.

The Dunedin event, which aims to "celebrate, remember, and fight back" against cancer, will be held March 5 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Making the announcement at the stadium this week, Cancer Society Otago-Southland events and community campaigns team leader Emma Anderson said Relay For Life Dunedin 2022 would run for 12 hours, rather than the usual 24 hours.

"This will make Relay a daytime event, running from 10am to 10pm, and will hopefully encourage more people to come and be part of it," Ms Anderson said.

"And we are thrilled to be back at Forsyth Barr Stadium, which has been a very popular Relay For Life venue in the past."

It was "very exciting" to be returning to organising Relay For Life events in Dunedin and Otago after Covid-19 had disrupted so many Cancer Society fundraisers in the past two years, Ms Anderson said.

Relay For Life Dunedin 2022 committee members and Cancer Society Otago-Southland staff gather at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the venue for the new-look relay on March 5. Pictured are (from left) Cancer Society events and community campaigns team leader Emma Anderson, committee members Cheryl Kelly, Harry Hollyer, John Moyle, Caroline Walker, Tony McLellan, and Cancer Society Coastal Otago volunteering co-ordinator Julie Moyle. PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD

"It is more important than ever before that this Relay For Life is a success, after the number of fundraisers that have been cancelled."

"So, we are urging our loyal teams from past years to sign up and for businesses, organisations, and teams to think about giving it a go.

"We are keen for a great event."

The 15-strong Relay For Life Dunedin 2022 organising committee — a mix of experienced old hands and fresh blood - is already hard at work planning for the event.

Some exciting new ideas have already emerged, including a plan to entice local businesses, schools and facilities to help "Paint the Town Purple" surrounding the event.

The concept is the brainchild of new organising committee member Harry Hollyer, who brought the idea with him when he moved to Dunedin from South Canterbury.

"The Paint the Town Purple campaign was very successful up there, and is going to be a really good way to get businesses and organisations to show their support for Relay For Life here in Dunedin," he said.

Several major sponsors are already on-board, including major partner Mitre 10 Mega and local radio station The Breeze Dunedin.

Former Relay For Life ambassador and two-time cancer survivor John Moyle has also joined the organising group, and is looking forward to helping out with logistics.

"As a double cancer survivor, and having been involved as part of a team for many years, this event is very close to my heart," he said.

Ms Anderson said that, while the Relay For Life Dunedin 2022 would be a new-look event, it would still focus on the event’s core philosophy of celebrating survivors, remembering loved ones lost to cancer, and fighting back against the disease.

With this in mind, traditional Relay For Life events such as the opening survivors and carers lap and the always moving candlelight ceremony would remain key elements.

A great line-up of entertainment, curated by Kelvin Cummings, would also remain a feature, she said.

"Above all, it will just be fantastic to come together again as a community for this important and very special event."