WALK OF LIFE: The survivors’ and carers’ walk.
THE head of Orange’s volunteer committee who organises the Relay for Life broke down yesterday during her thank-you speech to volunteers and the community at the conclusion of the relay.
“Tonight while I still have my hair and I am still grateful I have all my body parts, I will be able to bath and feed my children and hold them close.
“And I will cry for all the people we were too late to help,” Nicole Downey said.
However following the last lap of the Orange and District Relay for Life, Mrs Downey said she has been inspired again this year by the huge effort put in at the Relay for Life with $111,000 raised so far.
“Of course we expect that figure to climb over the coming weeks - it is an extraordinary effort,” she said.
Mrs Downey said all the volunteers who worked to put together this year’s relay work full time, but use every spare minute they have working towards the success of the relay.
“The committee have done a fabulous job,” she said.
“To all those employers out there who support us and allow us to do what we do, I want to thank you,” she said.
Mrs Downey said all the participants who were the face of Relay for Life this year by pitching tents and walking through the night are an inspiration.
However she said there are others in the community to thank.
“To all those businesses out there who donate items or give of their time we really want to let you know how much we appreciate your efforts,” she said.
So far this year’s tally is slightly down on last year’s figure with $126,000 initially announced, growing to a record figure of $216,000 over the following weeks.
“That was a big effort last year to mark our 10th anniversary, so we will be very excited to see what our figure finally comes in at this year,” Mrs Downey said.