Community
Relay For Life is underway at ILT Stadium Southland today, with hundreds of participants and supporters coming together to raise funds for the Cancer Society.
The event began this morning with the 10am Opening Ceremony with Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell cutting the ribbon, followed by the 10.15am ribbon cutting and opening celebration lap around the stadium track.
Organisers told the crowd that around $87,000 has already been raised so far, highlighting the strong support from the Southland community.
Throughout the day, teams and individuals will continue walking laps of the track in honour of those affected by cancer. Some participants are committing to walking for many hours, symbolising the ongoing journey faced by people living with cancer and their families.
The What’s On Invers team went live on Facebook and Instagram from the event, sharing the atmosphere and encouraging friends, family and the wider public to come down to the stadium.
Organisers are inviting the community to join in for a few laps around the track, show support for participants, or make a donation toward the cause.
A range of activities are running throughout the day, including a candle bag decorating area open from 10am to 6pm, while an Accessibility Hour from 11am to 12pm ensures everyone can take part comfortably.
Live entertainment runs from 12pm to 6pm, followed later in the evening by more performances from 7pm to 10pm.
Teams can bank their fundraising totals at the Cancer Society information tent from 1pm to 1.30pm, with another banking window from 8pm to 8.30pm.
One of the most moving moments of the day will be the Candlelight Ceremony from 6pm to 7pm, where participants will pause to remember loved ones and honour those impacted by cancer.
The evening will also feature a Glow Hour from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, before the Closing Ceremony at 9.50pm, wrapping up a powerful day of remembrance, hope and community support.
The days schedule:
10am – Opening Ceremony
10.15am – Cut Ribbon & Opening Celebration Lap
10.15am – 11.30am – Celebration Morning Tea in the Upstairs Lounge
10am – 6pm – Candle Bag Decorating Area Open
11am – 12pm – Accessibility Hour
12pm – 6pm – Live Entertainment
1pm – 1.30pm – Team Banking Available at Cancer Society Info Tent
6pm – 7pm – Candlelight Ceremony
7pm – 10pm – Live Entertainment
7.30pm – 8.30pm – Glow Hour – Get your glow sticks ready!
8pm – 8.30pm – Team Banking Available at Cancer Society Info Tent
9.50pm – Closing Ceremony