Wellington’s Relay for LIfe. 23rd and 24th March 2013

  Over the Weekend of 23/24 March 2013, Wellington’s Relay for Life took place at Frank Kitts park with its views of Wellingtons Harbour.

 On the Friday night the tent village  was looking very eerie and it was giving very little away as to what would be happening over Saturday through to Sunday Morning.

 A few contractors were finishing unloading the last few items and the frame for the video screen was being installed.

 By mid morning on the Saturday the 1st few people started to arrive, carrying chairs,chilly boxes and assorted bedding.

 Within a couple of hours the tent village was bustling with groups which included schools, business’s, sporting groups or just family’s.

 Each groups had  tent allocated to them and each group spent time setting their tents up with bedding, tables and ensuring that the cooking unit was working.

 Many of the tents were decorated or had photos of those that they came to remember.

  Almost out of now where a good number of the 2500 that had registered plus those helping headed to the centre of the park for the opening ceremony.

 The whole central area filled quickly and there was not much room left to sit in. The opening ceremony started with a number of speakers welcoming people and reminding why they were there ( not as though they needed reminding.)

 The opening lap was at 4.00pm with Wellington Batucada leading the Survivors group around the course.

After that it was all go for the teams to either walk the course or for the younger ones a running track.

 As dusk turned to night the candle ceremony started.With many of those not doing the course assembled in the centre of the park. Weaving passed the stage a long queue waited their turn to place a white bag on the steps that lead up to the wall that overlooks the harbour.

 Each white bag had a small night light inside whilst on the outside of the bag, a picture of a love one who lost their life to some form of cancer.



 These bags would stay on the steps until 06.30 the following day keeping the light going through the darkness of the day.

 At 6.30 the bags would be taken away to be cremated and the ash was place round the Rose of Remembrance at Mary Stewarts Hospice,Ridderford Street,Newtown,Wellington.

 It was a opportunity for some to share their stories and to remember those still fighting Cancer and also those who care for those that have it.

  For many, a quiet tear was shed. Sitting near the candles a group of teenagers quietly sat listening to the songs and speeches. It was not till near the end did they start to cry,with each other comforting.

 With the sun rising  on the Sunday Morning  the course was still well in use, with many still showing a lot of energy whilst some were looking worse for wear.

 With the final laps being completed around 08.30 it was time for the thank yous and for 3 teams to find out they completed over 500 laps.

 It was never about who completed the most or quickest laps  but to make people aware that 1 in 3 people in New Zealand have some form of cancer.

 Its not until an event like this then did i realise that a number that i know either from work or elsewhere were affected somehow by cancer.

 The money raised would provided services that is not funded by central government.

  The end arrived with a Haka preformed by Rongotai School,at which every one headed home for a well earned shower and sleep.