TEAM SPIRIT: Have you got what it takes to join Karen Francis (back row, third from left) and her fellow Mad Marsham Marchers?
The Mad Marsham Marchers are looking for teams to join them in this year’s 24-hour Relay for Life.
The annual event raises money for the charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and involves teams of all ages and abilities walking, riding, jogging or wheeling around a course, non-stop for 24 hours.
The Bournemouth and East Dorset Relay for Life, now in its 10th year, will run over the weekend of 16-17July at Butcher’s Coppice Outdoor Activity Centre in Bournemouth.
“The Relay for Life is a fantastic event which attracts families, teams of workmates, schools and groups of friends and this year we are hoping even more will sign up and raise money to help find a cure for cancer,” said committee member Karen Francis.
At least one member of each team must be on the track at all times during Relay for Life and there are also challenges, such as high ropes, archery and fancy dress, which offer points towards a Team Challenge Cup.
Participants can camp out at Butcher’s Coppice and there is a variety of entertainment, music and food on offer throughout the weekend.
“Although the relay itself is the main event, there are so many other fun and inspiring things going on. There is a real festival atmosphere,” explained Karen.
“The opening ceremony / first lap will be at 12 noon on Saturday 16 July and will be led by local cancer survivors.
“Then at 10pm on the Saturday evening we will hold a Candle of Hope ceremony in which the track will be lit by decorated candle bags dedicated in honour of those who are fighting and to those who have lost their battle to cancer. It’s very emotional and very beautiful.
“We’d love to hear from teams who want to take part in the relay and we’d also like to invite visitors to come and support our teams throughout the day and join the Candle of Hope ceremony in the evening.”
Last year’s Relay for Life raised £42,000, but the event committee is setting the bar even higher in 2016 with a fundraising goal of £50,000. They also hope local businesses will provide support through sponsorship.
Karen’s family own the Marsham Court Hotel in Russell-Cotes Road, Bournemouth, which has already given its backing to the event.
The family is also fielding its own team – the appropriately-named Mad Marsham Marchers – which includes Karen’s daughter Iesha, who has cerebral palsy, the hotel’s manager Rosie Wallace, Rosie’s brother James Dixon-Box and their mum Jennie Deavin, who is suffering from terminal cancer.
Karen said: “Some of us will obviously be doing more hours on the track than others, but we are very much a team and I’d like to think we might inspire others to give it a go.”
The Marsham Court Hotel is hosting a corporate sponsorship event on Thursday 24 March, from 6pm-8pm, for local businesses to find out more about sponsoring Relay for Life. Anyone is welcome to attend.
To register a team visit: http://relay.cancerresearchuk.org/site/TR?fr_id=1593&pg=entry
For more information phone: 07851 198134 or email: relaybournemouth2016@gmail.com
