Participants in the walk-a-thon cheered when Cancer Council Western Region community relations coordinator Kate Schofield announced that a provisional total of $94,129 had been raised, with more funds to be tallied in coming weeks.

“It’s been great, the teams have just been fantastic and we’ve done some fantastic fundraising,” Ms Schofield said after the announcement yesterday.

Seventy-four teams participated in this year’s event, with more than 900 people taking part, including some who registered on the day.

Cancer Council Western Region manager Anella Powell said the 2010 event had benefited from the participation of several new teams.

“It was surprising and very nice to discover we had a lot of teams who were here for the first time and they’ll come back next year,” she said.

“It’s been a wonderfully successful weekend.”

Ms Schofield said the relay hadn’t suffered because of a scheduling clash with The Garden Party.

Money from donation buckets passed around at the music festival is still to be tallied.

Shirts signed by the performing musicians were also auctioned at the relay.

“We thought it might [affect us] but, as usual, Orange has proved us wrong,” Ms Schofield said.

“We’re lucky they let us get in there to do the extra fundraising.”

Fifty per cent of the funds raised this year will be donated to Cancer Care Western NSW, with the remainder going to services such as the Cancer Council helpline.

A final fundraising figure is expected in six weeks.

lisa.cox@ruralpress.com