A MASSIVE �48,000, the highest cash total ever for the event was raised at this year’s Great Yarmouth Relay for Life held in July.

Relay committee members, team captains and participants were told of the total at a presentation ceremony on Thursday last week at the Cliff Hotel, Gorleston when a cheque was handed over to Louise Cook, senior area volunteer manager for Cancer Research UK.

This year’s fundraising takes the total raised from the Yarmouth Relay since it started in 2008, to just short of an impressive �150,000.

Chairman of the local event, Jayne King, said that in the current economic climate with so many consumers suffering from a lack of disposable income, the organising committee were delighted to have beaten the previous highest total.

She said: “We are staggered at the generosity of the general public who have dug deep into their pockets to make this the most successful Great Yarmouth relay ever.

“All too many of us are touched by this disease and it shows that despite the tough times many are experiencing that the public are only too willing to donate large sums towards a good cause.”

Cancer Research UK’s Louise Cook said the amount raised was a very impressive total as the majority of donations to the charity are of �10 or less.

She added: “People may be surprised to learn that over ninety percent of the donations received each year are of �10 or less, we class the �49,000 raised from this event as a single donation so it really is a magnificent sum.”

“Putting this into context the money raised can be used in many ways for example, it could buy one piece of equipment for research scientists to use or go towards clinical trials which cost in the region of �1,200 each.

“Wherever it is used the money will be spent wisely in the fight against cancer.”

Relay for Life is an inspirational overnight event that honours cancer survivors and celebrates life and saw the 20 participating teams walking continuously, in relay throughout the 20 hours of the event.

Teams raised money in a variety of ways from pub quizzes and car boot sales, to karaoke nights and variety shows.

Among the 220 entrants this year was a team from Nottingham and the Great Yarmouth Road Runners who ran for the whole 20 hours of the event with one member Steve Etherington, walking non-stop in memory of relatives lost to cancer.

The event began with a lap of honour and a celebration of life by 21 cancer survivors, who ranged in age from 16 to over 60.

Fourth time participant Tonie Ewles was 14 years old. She was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer rhabdomyosarcoma at just 22 months old and she was accompanied by her proud family.

Afterwards, a special survivors cake was cut and the event was launched by James Hadfield, head of Genomics Core Facility at Cambridge Hospital.

“Organising a relay event is very hard work and I would like to thank all who have helped us to reach this magnificent sum, the knowledge that we are all really making a difference makes all the hard work and effort worthwhile” said Miss King.