Index

£81,700 raised in 2008

Over the past three years the East Kilbride Relay for Life organised on behalf of Cancer Research by East Kilbride Rotary Club has raised an amazing £100,000. That is the equivalent of around £1400 per hour for the 72-hour total duration of the three events.

But while the event lasts just 24 hours, the work done behind the scenes to ensure its success, lasts nearly all year round — from the first committee meeting until all the donations are collected.

This means the organising committee of East Kilbride Rotarians, under the chairmanship of current club president John Cardno, have been continuously involved since 2004, when the club stepped in to prevent the popular annual event being cancelled.The Rotary Club had participated in the relay as a team for several years prior to stepping in when the previous organisers dropped out. And, under John’s leadership, the event has been built up to its present level, when over £40,000 was raised for the cause in 2007.

This meant the magnificent total of over £100,000 was raised after three years hard work by the Rotarians and over 20 enthusiastic local teams, many of whom have supported the event every year.

John would be the first to acknowledge that without their commitment the event could not take place, and as he hands over the Relay for Life baton to his successor as chairman to Rotarian Jack Blackwood, he is confident their support will continue. The 2008 event will take place on June 13 and 14 at the John Wright Sports Centre.

Hundreds of supporters, including 22 teams of participants, worked alongside East Kilbride Rotary Club to raise an amazing £55,000 at the weekend for Cancer Research (UK) Scotland.

The event was this year’s Relay for Life which took place on Friday and Saturday at the John Wright Sports Centre.The total raised, which could rise to an unbelievable £72,000 when all the sponsor money from the 24-hour relay is finally gathered in, surpassed all the organisers’ wildest dreams.

They had believed it would be impossible to beat last year’s figure, which was in itself remarkable, standing at £40,000.

However, this year’s perfect weather conditions ensured maw, paw and awe the weans, as one Rotarian described the turnout, all came along to give their support to the fundraising efforts.

The most moving part of the 24 hours was the candle lit service where this year an increased number of candles were lit, enabling more money to be raised than ever before.

When Rotarian piper Roddy Shanks, silhouetted against a near-perfect sky, played a lament as dusk was falling, there was absolute silence from the huge crowd gathered for the service.

Not a murmur was heard from the youngest to the oldest and it was possible to sense the emotion being felt.

As the sound of the bagpipes faded into the night air, singer Rosalind Scoular sang “Somewhere over the Rainbow” after which there came a prolonged silence giving time for everyone to reflect on the love they shared and at the same time, to pray and hope that, in the near future, researchers will come up with the answers needed to solve the problems of cancer.

Saturday brought a much lighter note with lots of activities provided to entertain the crowds.

There were bouncy castles, a tug of war, football games, line dancers, live bands, keep fit sessions, blood pressure checks and lots, lots more, many of the events supported by sponsors and companies within and outwith the town.

The Caledonian Plywood Company, which has supported the Relay for Life for a number of years, supplied the stage for performances by the bands No Way Josie and Last Orders. Both waived their fee and, in addition, raised over £800 from a Friday night gig.

Disco music was provided by DJ David Wiper who has been involved with the event over the past seven years.

Once again Wiseman’s Dairies provided refreshing milk and first aid cover by Gavin Crowe, who also had a competing team.

Travis Perkins and EK Tool Hire provided electricity generators while Jim Moretti supplied a skip for rubbish and Farm Foods the cereal for everyone’s breakfast.

For the first time ever a silent auction was held to help boost funds.

Thanks go to the companies who donated the prizes.

They included the Castle Venlaw Hotel in Peebles, East Kilbride’s Holiday Inn, the Crutherland Hotel, the Bruce Hotel, Fifi and Ally and Hunter’s Bar.

None of this would have been possible without the facilities of the John Wright Sports Centre and South Lanarkshire Council’s support, and thanks go to them for this kindness.

The majority of teams taking part in the Relay had their own ways of raise extra cash from those attending, such as nail polishing by the Lyds Lovelies, tombola stands, miniature & shops, raffles and bottle stalls.

A nice end to the event for those who were on the last lap came as the Electric Candy cheerleaders lined the last 25 yards of the track to welcome the leg weary home.

Winners of the competitions were:

Best Tent – Just Joan.

Best banner – Barmy Army.

Spirit of the Relay Shield – The Supremes (First Direct ), who entered for the first time two weeks before the event and raised 4600.

Adult human bar football – Barmy Army.

East Kilbride Rotary Club would like to say a great big thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the Relay, including the many volunteers.