THE organiser of Cirencester's Relay for Life is appealing for more people to get involved with this year's event.
Next month the 24-hour fundraiser will take place in the town for a fifth time.
Now in a new location of Cirencester Rugby Club, the event is returning in earnest after being cancelled due to Covid in 2020 and having a smaller, 12-hour Relay last year.
"It's quite exciting," said organiser Sharon Scrivens, who has helped raise more than £300,000 for Cancer Research since launching the Cirencester Relay in 2017.
"We are back to 24 hours finally.
"It's been brilliant how it's taken off.
"That's through people who put their hands in their pockets and give to Relay."
Starting at 10am on Saturday, July 23 teams will take it in turns to run or walk around a track.
A steel band will be performing, fitting in with this year's carnival theme, and there will also be a range of stalls and refreshments available.
Cancer survivors will complete a lap of honour to open the event, before being treated to afternoon tea, and a Candle of Hope ceremony will take place in the evening.
"It's a very emotional event," said Sharon, who has been fundraising for Relay for Life since 2001.
She became a team captain at the Portsmouth event after her father died from leukaemia and then set up the Cirencester event after losing her son, Ashley, to melanoma in 2014.
"When everybody comes together you realise how this disease has affected so many people," she said.
"It's about bringing people together, letting them tell their stories and letting them know they are not on their own."
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Sharon is hoping as many people as possible get involved this year, either by forming a team or coming along on the day to show support for the volunteer-run event.
"It's such a community event, I love it. I just wish I could get it out to more people," she said.
"I've got some great teams, they are all very committed,"
"I would still like more teams. It can be families, work colleagues, you don't have to be fit to do it.
"It's such a fun event."
For more details go to relay.cancerresearchuk.org or relayforlifecirencester.co.uk
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