By Jessica Anstice
The Casey Relay for Life is just days away and relay team ‘The Physicals’ is excited to celebrate its 10th anniversary at Akoonah Park.
The relay will take place on Friday and Saturday 1 and 2 February.
Jodie Soutter became team captain after her aunty passed away in 2001 from cancer and a year later she lost her dad to kidney cancer. She has remained team captain for all 10 years.
Her two cousins, Colleen Wright and Leanna Mckaskill encouraged her to enter the team.
“After talking with my cousins we decided it would be a positive thing to do to help ourselves and others who had been touched by cancer,” she said.
“We really enjoy the Casey event and love the challenge of relaying for 24 hours.
Team member Kelly Nicholson also joined The Physicals 10 years ago.
“Kelly is now an invaluable member of not only our team but the relay at Casey. She is now on the organising committee for Casey Relay,” Mrs Scoutter said.
“My mum Shirley Reid, my mother-in-law Faye Duff and my sisters Kylie Reid and Belinda King have always been happy to do whatever is needed to make everything run smoothly.
“My husband Michael Soutter and our children Tom and Abbie have always gone above and beyond to support the team year in and year out.”
People tend to relay for lots of different reasons and Relay for Life is all about hope.
“It can be comforting to come together with others who have had similar experiences and feel like you are making a difference,” Mrs Soutter said.
“I know for our family it’s also an opportunity to catch up and reconnect.
“All of our children have grown up being a part of relay and it’s been a pleasure watching them all take on different aspects of the event as they grow and mature.”
The Physicals have conducted many different fundraising activities over years.
They have organised trivia nights, golf days, head shaves, reverse head shaves, fun runs and shopping trips.
This year Mr Soutter ran 100 kilometres around the lake at Lakeside in Pakenham and raised over $7500.
Over the 10 years, The Physicals have raised over $85,000.
“It’s something that I’m incredibly proud of and very grateful to our friends and family that continues to support us in our fundraising efforts,” she said.
As it is the 10th year of The Physicals, they will be celebrating with a party theme that includes a cake, face painting and lots of fun.
“I really want our team to celebrate all of the hard work we have put in over the last 10 years,” Mrs Soutter said.
“Relay for Life event is something that is hard to describe, I tell people it is something that you have to come and experience.
“Relay is an event that supports our community to come together to remember and celebrate loved ones in a supportive and positive environment.”
To donate to Ms Robinson and her team All Night for the Fight, visit: https://secure.fundraising.cancer.org.au/site/TR/RelayforLife/CCVIC?team_id=61756&pg=team&fr_id=5684
