St Joseph's Nudgee College

August 1, 2008

Nudgee staff and students will exhaust themselves for a good cause as part of the North Brisbane Relay for Life on August 16 and 17.

The students and staff from St Joseph's Nudgee College will walk around Hendry Oval for 18 hours as part of the relay.

Relay for Life is a Queensland-wide event involving teams of 10-15 participants walking around a track and camping overnight to celebrate cancer survival and raise funds for the Cancer Council Queensland, cancer patients and cancer research.

This year's event is the second time Nudgee College has hosted the North Brisbane Relay.

Nudgee's Tierney House chose Relay for Life for their house fundraiser and hopes to have four teams participate in the event, with all money raised going to the Cancer Council Queensland.

Tierney House Dean Peter Kropp stressed Relay for Life is not just about raising money.

"Relay for Life is more than a fundraiser," Mr Kropp said.

"It also acts as an awareness campaign and provides an occasion to remember those who have lost their battles with cancer, to celebrate the survivors and to pray for those who are currently battling the disease."

Two particular features that highlight this are the Survivor's Walk and the twilight Candlelight Ceremony, both of which will be held on the Saturday.

The Survivor's Walk launches the event with staff, family members, friends and carers joining together to walk the first lap.

Later, those who have lost their battle will be remembered on dusk during the Candlelight Ceremony.

One student who will definitely participate and who has been a major organiser of the event at Nudgee is Year 12 student Nicholas Youl. Nicholas lost his mother to cancer two years ago and this will be his third Relay for Life.

"My mum was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer when I was in Year 8 and died from it two years ago so Relay for Life is something I have always supported," he said.

"My first Relay was with mum and dad back when mum was first diagnosed, but now I form my own team with my school friends. It's a great way to enjoy the weekend with my mates and support cancer patients at the same time."

Nicholas said his mum was always on his mind during the event and he would be lighting a candle for her during the Candlelight Ceremony.

"I always light a candle for mum and it's good to have my friends with me to keep her memory alive," he said.

Other schools, business and members of the general public are encouraged to participate in this year's Relay and play their part in raising money for much needed cancer research.

"Relay for Life is a great event. You get to be part of a team, camp out all night and it's heaps of fun," Nicholas said.

Mr Kropp said sponsorship opportunities are available for anyone wishing to be part of the North Brisbane Relay.

"Relay for Life is a great cause so if there is anyone, particularly from the corporate environment, who would be interested in flying their flag along with the super efforts of our boys over the course of the Relay journey, your assistance would be greatly appreciated," he said.

Anyone wishing to enquire about sponsorship opportunities for the North Brisbane Relay for Life should contact Tanya King on 3865 0315 or email tking@nudgee.com

The North Brisbane Relay for Life begins at 3pm on Saturday 16th August and concludes at 9am on Sunday 17th August. The Relay will be held on Hendry Oval (Athletics Track) and teams can choose crazy dress and campsite themes to show their support. There will be plenty of prizes, entertainment, fun and frivolity provided over the 18 hours to keep participants going.