Those behind Blairgowrie’s popular Relay for Life fundraising event have organised a special information evening for big-hearted locals thinking of taking part in this year.
The 24-hour relay, which raises funds for Cancer Research UK and is the only event of its kind in Perthshire, takes place on Saturday, June 29, and draws to a close the following day.
The open evening is on Monday, March 11, at the Gig in Perth Street from 7pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and find out more about the event and how to take part.
One of the teams already registered this year is the Don’t Stop Believin’ team, who will be taking part in their third consecutive Relay for Life.
Leading the 10-strong team of friends and family members from Blairgowrie is nominated captain Isobel Harper.
After three events, the team are old hands at the race and will be able to provide visitors to the open evening with lots of valuable advice for taking part.
Isobel said: “I think the best advice we could give anyone is to come prepared for all weathers! And to remember extra warm clothes for night time because it can get quite cold then.
“A good support team is also a real boost – they can run to the shops for you if you need them to!”
Isobel continued: “I have always supported Cancer Research UK since my nursing days, but I got heavily involved after we lost our son, Alan, in 2010.
“He was studying aeronautical engineering at Glasgow University and had a rare form of cancer called neuroplastoma, which is a childhood cancer that is hard to treat in someone of Alan’s age.
“We took part in our first relay a few months after Alan died, which was very emotional, but it was nice to do something.
“Alan raised a lot of money for the Beatson Institute in Glasgow where he was being treated, he did a zip-wire across the River Clyde, for example, so I think the relay is something he would have enjoyed.
“Our team name comes from the Journey song, it was Alan’s song after he was diagnosed and he believed right to the end. The song means a lot to his friends.”
Despite the serious nature of the work that Cancer Research UK carries out, the teams have a lot of fun raising money for the charity.
Isobel added: “We hold coffee mornings for friends and family, pub quizzes, and we’re going to have a duck race in Alyth burn.
“The Relay for Life committee also holds collections in Tesco, the last one earlier this month raised over £1000 in one weekend.
“We try to make it fun, it brings us all together doing different things and the money raised soon adds up. It is easy to do, all just little things and whatever is raised is a bonus.
“There is a great atmosphere at the event itself, with lots of activities throughout the day. There are games and competitions, a marquee, stage and stalls to entertain people.
“It is a lot of fun and you get a great feeling of achievement from taking part, a real sense of doing something to help others. It is a worthwhile experience and I would encourage anyone to get a group of friends and family together and just do it!”
To register go to www.blairgowrie-relay-for-life.org.uk
