Relay for Life event raises over £50,000

This year's Cancer Research Relay for Life event at Eaton Park has raised the fantastic sum of £51,047.

A staggering £51,047 has been raised following the 24-hour event held at Eaton Park in June.

A special celebration event was held last weekend with the final total announced to all the fundraisers and teams who had taken part.

Lisa Kirkwood, Chair of the Ballymena Relay for Life Committee, said: “We initially had a target of raising £20,000 so to have more than doubled that figure is truly amazing.

The 'Ballymena Bandits' were the top fundraisers for this year's Relay For Life, raising over £7,000.

“This is the most we’ve ever raised from the Ballymena Relay for Life and it’s all down to the hard work of the teams who took part and all the fundraisers.”

Seventeen teams took part in the event, which returned to Ballymena after a brief hiatus for a couple of years.

‘The Ballymena Bandits’ were crowned top fundraisers, raising over £7,000.

Thanking all the teams who took part, and the survivors for being involved in the Candle of Hope ceremony, Lisa also thanked all the local businesses who helped with the event.

“We have to say a big thank you to Ballymena Rugby Club who were just fantastic,” Lisa said.

She also added thanks to Robinsons Costcutter, Ballymena; K&G McAtamney; the Adair Arms; Crosskeys Meats; The Pizza Parlour; HSS Coleraine; APT Cullybackey; KDM Hire; Roisin O’Neill; Totally Wired Discos; Crispy Cod, Galgorm; Event Co.

Lisa added: “Thanks also goes to the committee members Joanne Galloway, Wendy Graham, Nina Clarke, as well as Denver Galloway, Rachael Fleming and Paul Kirkwood for all their help and support.

“We would also like to thank everyone who supported the teams in their fundraising events in the run up to Relay.”

Meanwhile, plans are already underway for next year’s Relay for Life which will take part at Eaton Park on June 13-14. You can register your team by emailing [email protected] or visit Ballymena Relay for Life on Facebook.