In Christchurch paddlers from Abreast of Life Dragon boat team took part in the Cancer Society’s Relay for life. They called themselves Boobilicious Paddlers and helped fundraising efforts to raise over $100,000 for the Canterbury/Westland branch of the Cancer Society. The girls felt that it was their way of giving back to an organisation that had helped them all since their diagnosis.
IBCPC President, Meri Gibson was the MC for the day and used the opportunity to recruit new paddlers for their team.
The relay was held at Rangiora’s Dudley Park began at 10am and finished at 10pm. It attracted 597 participants in 48 teams and began with a lap of honour from cancer survivors and their supporters. Before the start, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon, who took part in the relay as a member of the Waimakariri District Council’s A team, told the large crowd that Relay for Life North Canterbury had a special poignancy for him due to cancer touching his family.
Relay for Life North Canterbury was one of 16 relays held by the Cancer Society during March and April. Cancer Society chief executive Elizabeth Chesterman told the crowd at Dudley Park:
“Every relay helps us to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer”
The funds raised will enable the Cancer Society to continue to support those with cancer in North Canterbury and the wider Canterbury-West Coast region.
