Team Jess members are gearing up for another big fundraising effort in 2008 with the help of CMV Volvo Clayton.By Callan Date
THE 2008 Casey-Cardinia Relay for Life is only weeks away and this year’s event is shaping up as one of the biggest yet.
More than $200,000 was raised for The Cancer Council Victoria by the 33 local teams who took part in last year’s event.
The Casey-Cardinia Relay for Life is a 24-hour relay style walk or run, where teams of 10 or more people attempt to keep their team’s baton moving around the track for the duration of the event.
Each team works tirelessly throughout the year to raise much needed funds.
Money raised from the event will go towards The Cancer Council’s important cancer research, education and support services to help reduce the impact of cancer on the Victorian community.
This year’s event, which will take place on Friday, 29 February and Saturday, 1 March, will be again held at Berwick’s Akoonah Park.
Record-breaking Team Jess will again take part in the fundraiser.
The Narre Warren group raised more than $82,000 last year to be the biggest money raisers in the eight-year history of the event.
Team Jess was formed in honour of Jess Atwell – a 27-year-old woman who lost her battle with cervical cancer in 2006.
Team coordinator and Jess’ aunt Heather Atwell said several businesses, including CMV Volvo Clayton, had jumped on board.
“Last year was just phenomenal but nobody is expecting that effort again,” Ms Atwell said.
She said the group had recently held a successful trivia night which raised about $8500.
“We have 95 team members this year.”
The youngest of which is three-month-old Ella Jessica Dinney – daughter of Jess’ best friend Alicia Dinnney.
“We want to raise as much (money) as possible,” Ms Atwell said.
For more information about the event visit www.relayforlife.org.au.
