Childcare students support Relay For Life

A team of over 30 childcare students from NewcastleCollege are to once again take part in an all-night relay to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The charity’s 10th annual Relay For Life in Stoke-on-Trent will be held at Northwood Stadium on Saturday 14 June. The 24-hour event aims to bring people together to celebrate the lives of those who have survived cancer, remember those who have passed away and honour the courage of their loved ones.

Last year, NewcastleCollege students raised more than £1,700 to go towards funding research into the disease and this year’s team, who will be in 1980’s style fancy dress, hope to do even better.

Leonie Lawton, 19, whose aunt and grandmother both died from cancer last year, took part in the 2007 event along with fellow students April Ashton, 17, Erin Sisk, 18, and Larissa Wilshaw, 18, Becky Stott, 19, Laura Gant, 17, and Kim Stevenson, 19. All seven students are attending again this year.

Leonie said: “We’re all really looking forward to the day and are happy to be doing something to support this fantastic cause. Although you’re tired and achy at the end of it, it really is a 24 hours that you never forget.”

As part of the event, the students will take turns to walk, run, skip or crawl around the running track, following an opening ‘Lap of Honour’ by cancer patients and survivors.

The students will camp overnight at the site and celebrate their fundraising achievements. When they are not taking their turn round the track, the students can take part in a range of fun activities such as five-a-side football, rounders, a tug of war, wellie wanging, a bouncing castle, hoola hoop race, sack race, tombola, raffles and a quiz.

Early Years Lecturer Bev Alaimo is also going along to participate in the relay. She said: “I’m very proud of the students. They have rallied together and dedicated a lot of effort into organising their team. I’m looking forward to helping them beat their fundraising target.”

For more information about Relay For Life visit www.cancerresearchuk.org or to sponsor the students, contact Bev Alaimo at the College on 01782 254212 or [email protected]

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