This year’s Brimbank Relay for Life event has been cancelled.
But one former organiser has vowed to see it return in 2017.
Until at least February this year, the relay had been scheduled for Kevin Flint Memorial Reserve in Cairnlea in November.
But the local relay has since been cancelled, with Brimbank residents being invited to take part in the event’s Footscray version starting at the Whitten Oval on November 19.
It’s the first time Brimbank will have gone without a Relay for Life since its inception in 2012.
Star Weekly revealed in February that in the past two years there had been a drop-off of more than 60 per cent in money raised at Brimbank’s Relay for Life events and sharp declines in volunteer numbers (327 to 118) and registered teams (23 to 12).
Brimbank raised $15,678 last year, the second- lowest amount across the state, according to Cancer Council Victoria’s annual report.
In 2013, the Brimbank relay raised $47,389.
Former Relay for Life organiser Les Tarczon is pledging to see the relay returned in 2017.
“It’s bitterly disappointing to hear it’s not running this year,” he said.
“Brimbank has also been in the top echelon for rates of cancer. It’s always been hard to get it running – it needs a lot of volunteers. More costs apply as it gets bigger. Medical costs, security costs, entertainment. It can be done, though.
“I’ll definitely be talking to a few people to get it going again next year.”
Cancer Council Victoria fundraising director Andrew Buchanan would not say why the Brimbank event was cancelled.
To register for the Footscray Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org.au
