Arbroath’s Cancer Research UK Relay for Life has again broken the £30,000 barrier after a weekend of fun, friends, laughter and tears.
For 24 hours from 11am on Saturday, Arbroath cricket ground was thronged with supporters of the seventh Relay event, whether as one of 15 teams that took part or to give their backing to the effort.
Team members take it in turns to walk round a track for the 24 hours to signify that ‘cancer never sleeps’.
The Relay reached its emotional conclusion in Sunday’s warm morning sunshine, with particular poignancy for event chairwoman Alana Loudon, who is handing over the reins to Ian Angus for 2014.
“It has been an amazing Relay and we announced at the end that £31,000 has been raised, which I am sure will be added to,” she said.
“Once again the support has been fantastic and I would just like to thank everyone who helped make it such a special and successful event.
“The weather was kind, it was a bit windy but quite a warm night for this time of year, and it was starry, which was beautiful for everyone walking round.”
The conditions helped add to the Candle of Hope ceremony, with Chinese lanterns lit to remember those touched by cancer hanging in the Angus sky as darkness closed in.
Around the relay track a host of entertainment had been organised, including music and dance from groups such as the Arbroath military wives choir and the energetic youngsters of the Limelight Theatre Company.
The sound of the pipes of Arbroath RBLS Pipe Band led the final laps of the cricket club track.
“It’s been quite an emotional end to the event for me since I am stepping down, but I will still be involved in the Angus local committee of Cancer Research UK and that will allow me to concentrate on other fundraisers such as the Arbroath New Year Dook,” Alana said.