RAIN didn’t dampen the spirits of enthusiastic residents who together raised more than $400,000 for the Cancer Council on the weekend.
More than 4000 people put their best foot forward at the Casey-Cardinia Relay for Life at Akoonah Park on the weekend.
It was the 10th anniversary for the annual event, which has raised almost $2million for cancer research in the past decade.
More than 100 teams participated, starting at 6pm on Friday and finishing at 6pm Saturday.
Volunteer chairperson Karen Rycken said she was thrilled that the event raised $435,000 this year, and said though the event was over, donations continued to pour in.
“Last year, we raised $395,000, so we have so far raised $15,000 more and we are still counting. It’s phenomenal,” she said.
“It is such an absolutely amazing and marvellous community event. I am overwhelmed.”
Ms Rycken said 26 teams raised more than $5000 during the event in Berwick, which Cancer Council said was the biggest relay ever held in Victoria.
She said everything went off with-out a hitch, including a surprise show from former Hawthorn footballer Shane Crawford, fireworks and “second-to-none” entertainment.
And although it rained on Saturday, she said the weather didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.
“It rained for about two hours, but about 1000 people continued to walk,” she said.
Ms Rycken said while the committee worked hard to put on a great event, it was the community which made it a success.
“We are really proud we put on a great show, but it doesn’t mean anything if people don’t fund-raise and show up,” she said.
